Desmitis of the distal digital annular ligament in seven horses: MRI diagnosis and surgical treatment.
Abstract: (1) To describe the clinical signs and abnormalities observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 7 horses with desmitis of the distal digital annular ligament (DDAL); (2) to describe the normal magnetic resonance (MR) appearance and thickness of the DDAL in health; and (3) to describe a tenoscopic surgical technique for treating horses with desmitis of the DDAL. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Horses (n=7) with desmitis of the DDAL. Methods: MR examinations of 20 sound horses were reviewed to determine the normal appearance of the DDAL. Dimensions obtained from these images were compared with MR findings from 7 horses with DDAL desmitis. Desmitis of the DDAL was treated by tenoscopic surgery and outcome assessed. Results: Horses with DDAL desmitis had lameness (grade 2-3 out of 5) that improved after a palmar digital nerve block. The affected DDAL was enlarged and had an abnormal signal on MR images of the feet. After tenoscopy and DDAL transection, 5 horses returned to athletic performance, including 2 horses that failed to respond to medical treatment and rest before surgery. Conclusions: Primary desmitis of the DDAL is a cause of lameness in horses. Transection of the DDAL allowed 5 horses with this injury to return to athletic performance. Conclusions: DDAL desmitis should be included in the differential diagnoses of horses with lameness that improves after a palmar digital nerve block but have no abnormalities observed on radiographs of the feet. Tenoscopic surgical transection of the DDAL is an effective treatment for some horses.
Publication Date: 2008-06-20 PubMed ID: 18564257DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2008.00386.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Athletic Performance
- Clinical Examination
- Clinical Pathology
- Clinical Signs
- Clinical Study
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Treatment
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Lameness
- Ligaments
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Retrospective Study
- Surgery
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Procedure
Summary
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The research paper explores desmitis, an inflammation of ligaments, specifically of the distal digital annular ligament (DDAL) in horses, and how it can be observed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and treated with tenoscopic surgery. The study also details its impact on lameness in horses and offers a comparision of MRI results between healthy horses and those with DDAL desmitis.
Overview of the Research
- The researchers carried out a retrospective study involving seven horses that had been diagnosed with DDAL desmitis, an inflammatory condition that affects a ring-like ligament in a horse’s hoof.
- An MRI was used to determine the condition of the DDAL in healthy horses and compare them with those affected with DDAL desmitis.
- The research conducted in-depth inspections of the MRI results of the horses, highlighting any aberrations observed in the ligament, such as enlargement or abnormal signals.
Treatment and Results
- A surgical technique referred to as tenoscopy was deployed in treating the DDAL desmitis. This process involves making small incisions and using small instruments and a miniature camera (tenoscope) to view and operate on the affected ligament.
- The horses with DDAL desmitis exhibited lameness that improved after applying a palmar digital nerve block, yet no abnormalities were detected on foot radiographs.
- Following the tenoscopic surgery and DDAL transection (the act of cutting across a long structure), five of the seven horses returned successfully to their athletic performance. This success indicates that the process was effective in managing the DDAL desmitis.
Conclusions
- The study concluded that primary desmitis of the DDAL is a cause of lameness in horses. Therefore, DDAL desmitis should be considered in the differential diagnoses for horses that display improved lameness post palmar digital nerve block, but demonstrate no evident foot abnormalities in radiographs.
- The transection of the DDAL via tenoscopic surgery was found to be a valid and effective treatment for horses affected by this type of desmitis.
Cite This Article
APA
Cohen JM, Schneider RK, Zubrod CJ, Sampson SN, Tucker RL.
(2008).
Desmitis of the distal digital annular ligament in seven horses: MRI diagnosis and surgical treatment.
Vet Surg, 37(4), 336-344.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.2008.00386.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA. cohenjm@vet.upenn.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Case-Control Studies
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Ligaments / pathology
- Ligaments / surgery
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
- Male
- Retrospective Studies
- Severity of Illness Index
- Tendinopathy / diagnosis
- Tendinopathy / surgery
- Tendinopathy / veterinary
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
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