Determination of equine deep digital flexor muscle volume based on distances between anatomical landmarks.

This research explores a method to estimate the volume of the deep digital flexor muscle in horses, which can be helpful to determine appropriate dosages when treating horses with Botox®.

Objective of Study

• The main objective of the study was to develop a mathematical formula that can estimate the volume of the deep digital flexor muscle (DDFM) in horses based on measurements between certain anatomical landmarks. This is crucial because such estimates can be used to determine appropriate dosage when using Botox for treatments in equine medicine.

Methodology

• Nineteen cadaveric limbs from horses were collected for this study. Two specific distances, namely Distance A (from the top of the olecranon to Os carpi accessorium) and Distance B (the circumference of the limb), were measured.
• A calculus step was used to convert these measured distances into a calculated distance, named Distance C. This was done through the formula: π × (((0.5B)/π)(2)) × A.
• The volume of the DDFM was then determined by water displacement method, a commonly used approach to find the volume of irregular objects.
• Finally, a statistical method called Linear Regression Analysis was used to analyze the collected data. In this analysis, the best fitting line to the observed points represented the relationship between volume and value C. The formula obtained was: Ln(volume[ml]) = -1.89 + 0.98 × Ln(value C[cm(3)]).

Final Results

• The research concluded with an extremely high correlation of 0.97 when natural logarithm was applied to both the volume and value C. This high correlation means that the formula can reliably estimate the DDFM volume based on the measured distances.
• This formula developed from the research now enables professionals to estimate the DDFM volume in living horses and extrapolate appropriate Botox dosages. This demonstrates its potential usefulness for the application of human Botox® treatment-protocols in the field of equine medicine.