Endoscopy of the digital flexor tendon sheath in horses.
Abstract: An arthroscopic procedure for examination of the digital flexor tendons and tendon sheath was developed in 16 equine limbs and 12 horses. Distension of the tendon sheath and insertion of the arthroscope was accomplished through a cul-de-sac on the palmar or plantar surface of the tendon sheath 1 to 2 cm palmar or plantar to the digital neurovascular structures and between the annular ligament and proximal digital annular ligament. A single arthroscope entry point allowed examination of all regions of the tendon sheath cavity and most surfaces of the digital flexor tendons within the sheath. Distal to the fetlock, surgical procedures could be performed through additional entry portals on the lateral, medial, or palmar surfaces of the tendon sheath. The palmar digital vessels and nerves were avoided by palmar placement of the instrument incisions and insertion of a needle before incising the skin. The fetlock canal and proximal regions of the tendon sheath were examined by redirecting the arthroscope. Flexion of the fetlock aided passage of the arthroscope into the proximal tendon sheath regions. Evaluation of the palmar surface of the superficial digital flexor tendon was limited by the midline attachment of the tendon sheath, otherwise the surfaces of the tendons and tendon sheath could be examined with 25 degrees and 70 degrees arthroscopes. The tendon sheath was more tightly invested to the tendons in the proximal regions, limiting the arthroscope movements and second instrument access.
Publication Date: 1990-07-01 PubMed ID: 2382395DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950x.1990.tb01182.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Anatomy
- Arthroscopy
- Clinical Examination
- Clinical Findings
- Clinical Pathology
- Clinical Study
- Deep Digital Flexor Tendon
- Diagnostic Technique
- Endoscopy
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Ligaments
- Musculoskeletal System
- Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon
- Surgery
- Tendons
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Procedure
Summary
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The research discusses the development and use of an arthroscopic procedure for inspecting the digital flexor tendons and tendon sheath in horses. It was successfully tested on 16 horse limbs and 12 horses.
Arthroscopic Procedure Development
- An arthroscopic procedure was developed for the examination of digital flexor tendons and tendon sheath in horses.
- The process required the distension of the tendon sheath and the insertion of an arthroscope – a type of endoscope that’s inserted into joints for surgical procedures.
- The arthroscope was inserted through a cul-de-sac on the palmar or plantar surface of the tendon sheath, near the digital neurovascular structures, and between the annular ligament and proximal digital annular ligament.
Arthroscope Entry and Evaluation
- Only a single entry point for the arthroscope was necessary, allowing examination of all areas of the tendon sheath cavity and most surfaces of the digital flexor tendons inside the sheath.
- When the operation was below the fetlock (a joint in the legs of horses), additional entry portals on the lateral, medial, or palmar surfaces of the tendon sheath were needed for surgical procedures.
- Palmar digital vessels and nerves were protected by placing the instrument incisions palmarr and inserting a needle before making a skin incision.
Examination of Tendon Sheath and Flexor Tendon
- The fetlock canal and proximal areas of the tendon sheath were examined by redirecting the arthroscope.
- The fetlock’s flexion – bending movement – assisted in the passage of the arthroscope into the proximal regions of the tendon sheath.
- The examination of the palmar surface of the superficial digital flexor tendon was restricted due to the midline attachment of the tendon sheath.
- However, the tendons and tendon sheath surfaces could generally be viewed with 25 degrees and 70 degrees arthroscopes.
Limitations and Constraints
- In the proximal areas, the tendon sheath was more closely attached to the tendons, which restricted the movement of the arthroscope and access for a second instrument.
Cite This Article
APA
Nixon AJ.
(1990).
Endoscopy of the digital flexor tendon sheath in horses.
Vet Surg, 19(4), 266-271.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950x.1990.tb01182.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, New York State College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca 14853.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arthroscopy / veterinary
- Forelimb
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Tendons / anatomy & histology
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Pyszko M, Němeček P, Horák O, Páral V, Kotrba R, Hoffman LC, Robovský J. Newly described anatomical opening on forelimb tendon in the artiodactyls and its relation to knee clicks. Sci Rep 2022 Mar 14;12(1):4362.
- Lacitignola L, De Luca P, Imperante A, Tommasa SD, Crovace A. Palmar annular ligament desmotomy in horses with the Arthrex-Centerline™ : An ex-vivo study. Open Vet J 2018;8(1):53-56.
- Lacitignola L, De Luca P, Guarracino A, Crovace A. Computed Tomographic Tenography of Normal Equine Digital Flexor Tendon Sheath: An Ex Vivo Study. Vet Med Int 2015;2015:903169.
- Brommer H, Voermans M, Veraa S, van den Belt AJ, van der Toorn A, Ploeg M, Gröne A, Back W. Axial osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones and desmitis of the intersesamoidean ligament in the hindlimb of Friesian horses: review of 12 cases (2002-2012) and post-mortem analysis of the bone-ligament interface. BMC Vet Res 2014 Nov 19;10:272.
- Spaas JH, Guest DJ, Van de Walle GR. Tendon regeneration in human and equine athletes: Ubi Sumus-Quo Vadimus (where are we and where are we going to)?. Sports Med 2012 Oct 1;42(10):871-90.
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