Deep digital flexor tenotomy as a treatment for chronic laminitis in horses: 35 cases (1988-1997).
Abstract: To determine long-term prognosis for horses with laminitis treated by deep digital flexor (DDF) tenotomy and to identify factors affecting success of the surgical procedure. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 35 horses with laminitis treated by DDF tenotomy between 1988 and 1997. Methods: Information was obtained from individual medical records and follow-up telephone interviews with owners and referring veterinarians. Cumulative proportions of horses that survived 6 months and 2 years after tenotomy were determined. Effect of Obel grade of lameness on 6-month and 2-year survival and effect of distal phalangeal rotation on survival and future performance were evaluated by chi 2 analysis. Body weights of horses that survived > or = 2 years were compared with those of horses that survived or = 6 months, and 19 of 32 (59%) survived > 2 years. Obel grade of lameness and body weight at time of surgery had no effect on 6-month or 2-year survival. Degree of distal phalangeal rotation had no effect on 2-year survival or the ability of horses to be used for light riding. Twenty-two of the 30 (73%) owners interviewed indicated they would have the procedure repeated on their horses given similar circumstances. Conclusions: DDF tenotomy is a viable alternative for horses with laminitis refractory to conventional medical treatment. In some instances, the procedure may be effective in returning horses to light athletic use.
Publication Date: 1999-02-25 PubMed ID: 10029854
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research evaluates the effectiveness of deep digital flexor (DDF) tenotomy, a surgical procedure, on horses with chronic laminitis. The study found that DDF tenotomy can be a viable alternative for treatment-resistant laminitis and in some cases, can return horses to light athletic performance.
Methodology
- The researchers reviewed 35 cases of horses with laminitis treated using DDF tenotomy spanning from 1988 to 1997.
- They gathered information from individual medical records and conducted follow-up interviews with horse owners and referring veterinarians to understand the results better.
- They performed a survival analysis to determine how many horses survived 6 months and 2 years after the surgical procedure.
- The study also evaluated how factors such as Obel grade of lameness (a scale used to measure the severity of laminitis) and distal phalangeal rotation (rotation of the bone inside the hoof often seen in laminitis cases) affected the success of the surgery.
- The researchers used chi-square analysis and ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) to statistically analyse their results.
Results
- The study found that 27 out of the 35 horses (77%) survived for at least 6 months, and 19 out of 32 (59%) survived for at least 2 years after undergoing DDF tenotomy.
- The Obel grade of lameness and body weight of horses at the time of surgery did not impact the 6-month or 2-year survival rate.
- The degree of rotation of the bone inside the hoof also did not affect the 2-year survival rate or the horse’s ability to undertake light riding post-surgery.
- Among the horse owners interviewed, 73% (22 out of 30) indicated that they would choose to repeat the procedure if faced with similar circumstances in the future.
Conclusions
- The findings suggest that DDF tenotomy could be a promising treatment for horses with chronic laminitis that don’t respond to standard treatments.
- Moreover, in certain cases, the procedure could potentially allow horses to return to light athletic activities.
Cite This Article
APA
Eastman TG, Honnas CM, Hague BA, Moyer W, von der Rosen HD.
(1999).
Deep digital flexor tenotomy as a treatment for chronic laminitis in horses: 35 cases (1988-1997).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 214(4), 517-519.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, Texas Veterinary Medical Center, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843-4475, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Chronic Disease
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Foot Diseases / surgery
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Hoof and Claw
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Male
- Prognosis
- Retrospective Studies
- Tendons / surgery
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Hargitaiova K, Maleas G. High-metacarpal deep digital flexor tenotomy and Steward clog shoeing for managing chronic refractory laminitis: A retrospective clinical study. Vet Surg 2026 Jan;55(1):236-247.
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