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Home / Equine Research Bank / Front Vet Sci / Deep Digital Flexor Tendon Injury at the Level of the Proxim...
Frontiers in veterinary science2021; 8; 734729; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.734729

Deep Digital Flexor Tendon Injury at the Level of the Proximal Phalanx in Frontlimbs With Tendon Sheath Distension Characterized by Standing Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Horses: 13 Cases (2015-2021).

Abstract: To describe the MRI findings for 13 horses with deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) injury at the proximal phalanx where the tendon goes from ovoid to bilobed in frontlimbs with tendon sheath distension. In addition, the prognosis of this lesion was assessed. Retrospective case series. Thirteen client-owned horses. Medical records were reviewed, and data were collected regarding signalment, history, MRI findings, and outcomes of horses. Findings of MRI were recorded and whether the case was confirmed with tenoscopy. A diagnosis of DDFT injury at the junction between ovoid and bilobed portions at the level of the proximal phalanx was established in 13/20 (65%) horses that underwent MRI examination of the frontlimb digital flexor tendon sheath. Return to previous level of work was poor in this subset of horses with only three of 13 (23%) horses returning to previous level of work and one horse still in rehabilitation. Standing low-field MRI represents a potentially useful diagnostic tool to evaluate digital flexor tendon sheath distension especially when evaluating the DDFT at the proximal phalanx where the tendon progresses from ovoid to bilobed. Prognosis of lesions of the DDFT at the proximal phalanx appears less favorable than previously reported causes of tendon sheath distension.
Copyright © 2021 van Veggel, Selberg, van der Velde-Hoogelander, Vanderperren, Cokelaere and Bergman.
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Publication Date: 2021-11-18 PubMed ID: 34869716PubMed Central: PMC8639202DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.734729Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article discusses the findings of a study that looked at the use of standing low-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for diagnosing deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) injuries in horses, and the prognosis of these injuries. This study found that standing low-field MRI was a beneficial tool in diagnosing these injuries, however, the prognosis of horses with such injuries was typically unfavorable.

Research Methodology and Objectives

  • The study included 13 client-owned horses who had exhibited signs of tendon sheath distension in the frontlimbs.
  • The investigators aimed to describe the MRI findings for these horses with DDFT injuries where the tendon transforms from an ovoid to a bilobed shape at the level of the proximal phalanx.
  • Additionally, the research team sought to ascertain the prognosis associated with these particular lesions.

Case Selection and Review

  • The researchers conducted a retrospective case series, reviewing the medical records of the 13 horses.
  • Information such as signalment (age, breed, sex, etc.), historical data, MRI findings, and the eventual outcome for the horse was collected and documented for analysis.
  • A comparison of the MRI findings with results from a surgical procedure called tenoscopy was performed to confirm the presence of the DDFT injury.

Findings and Observations

  • A diagnosis of DDFT injury, specifically at the junction where the tendon transitions from ovoid to bilobed at the proximal phalanx was determined in 65% (13 out of 20) of the horses that underwent the MRI examination.
  • The study revealed that the prognosis for horses with these lesions was generally poor. Only three out of the 13 horses returned to their previous level of work, and one horse was still undergoing rehabilitation.

Implications of the Study

  • The results show that the standing low-field MRI can be a valuable diagnostic tool in evaluating DDFT injuries at the proximal phalanx, especially when there is visible distension in the digital flexor tendon sheath.
  • Nonetheless, the prognosis associated with these types of lesions is less favorable than what has been previously reported regarding causes of tendon sheath distension.

Cite This Article

APA
van Veggel ECS, Selberg KT, van der Velde-Hoogelander B, Vanderperren K, Cokelaere SM, Bergman HJ. (2021). Deep Digital Flexor Tendon Injury at the Level of the Proximal Phalanx in Frontlimbs With Tendon Sheath Distension Characterized by Standing Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Horses: 13 Cases (2015-2021). Front Vet Sci, 8, 734729. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.734729

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 8
Pages: 734729
PII: 734729

Researcher Affiliations

van Veggel, Elisabeth Cornelia Susanna
  • Sporthorse Medical Diagnostic Centre, Heesch, Netherlands.
Selberg, Kurt T
  • Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States.
van der Velde-Hoogelander, Brenda
  • Sporthorse Medical Diagnostic Centre, Heesch, Netherlands.
Vanderperren, Katrien
  • Department of Medical Imaging of Domestic Animals and Orthopedics of Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Cokelaere, Stefan Marc
  • Sporthorse Medical Diagnostic Centre, Heesch, Netherlands.
Bergman, Hendrik-Jan
  • Sporthorse Medical Diagnostic Centre, Heesch, Netherlands.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Miles S, McCauley C, Carossino M, Del Piero F, Liu CC, Gaschen L. Normal MRI features of the manica flexoria in horses and evaluation of the anatomic variability between forelimbs and hindlimbs. PLoS One 2025;20(7):e0327880.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0327880pubmed: 40690480google scholar: lookup
  2. Scharf A, Acutt E, Bills K, Werpy N. Magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosing and managing deep digital flexor tendinopathy in equine athletes: Insights, advances and future directions. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1183-1203.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14508pubmed: 40314097google scholar: lookup
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