Enthesopathy and desmitis of the medial collateral ligament of the cubital joint in 4 horses.
Abstract: 4 horses with enthesopathy and desmitis of the medial collateral ligament of the cubital joint were examined. Results: All 4 horses had a history of acute, severe, unilateral forelimb lameness and had signs of pain during manipulation of the affected upper forelimb; 2 also had swelling in the axillary region. There was no improvement in lameness after diagnostic local analgesia below the carpal region, and 1 of 4 horses had mild improvement after cubital joint analgesia. Radiography revealed enthesophyte formation on the radial tuberosity and linear mineralization of the medial collateral ligament in 2 horses and periosteal reaction on the humeral condyle in all 4 horses. One horse had mild osteoarthritis of the cubital joint, and 3 had osteophytosis of the cranial aspect of the radius. Although all horses were initially examined because of an acute onset of lameness, all had chronic abnormalities visible on imaging. Ultrasonography revealed an irregular boney contour and enthesopathy at the insertion of the short medial collateral ligament to the radial tuberosity and desmitis of the short medial collateral ligament. Two horses had radiographic evidence of similar but less severe lesions of the contralateral cubital joint. Results: All horses received phenylbutazone and rest. All horses were free of lameness after a median of 3 months (range, 2 to 4 months) and returned to previous use after a median of 6 months (range, 3 to 8 months). Conclusions: The results of the present report suggested that performance horses with enthesopathy and desmitis of the medial collateral ligament of the cubital joint may have a good prognosis for return to previous use following appropriate treatment.
Publication Date: 2013-04-04 PubMed ID: 23547681DOI: 10.2460/javma.242.8.1152Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article reports on a study of four horses suffering from enthesopathy and desmitis in the medial collateral ligament of the cubital joint. Despite the chronic nature of these conditions, the study found that after rest and treatment with phenylbutazone, all four horses were able to return to their previous use, suggesting a favorable prognosis.
Research Background and Objective
- The study aims to examine the impact of enthesopathy (a disorder involving the attachment of a tendon or ligament) and desmitis (inflammation of a ligament) of the medial collateral ligament of the cubital joint in four horses. This specific condition is significant because it can cause severe lameness in horses, a problem that can significantly impact a horse’s usefulness and quality of life.
Research Methodology and Findings
- The study involved four horses that had a history of acute, severe, one-sided forelimb lameness and demonstrated signs of pain during the manipulation of the affected limb. Some of the horses also showed swelling in the underarm region.
- The examinations performed included radiography and ultrasonography. Radiography showed enthesophyte formation (bony outgrowth at a ligament attachment), linear mineralization of the medial collateral ligament, periosteal reaction (response to injuries involving the bone), and osteophytosis (formation of bone spurs) in various combinations in the studied horses. Ultrasonography shed light on the irregular bone contour and desmitis of the short medial collateral ligament, among others.
- Despite all horses presenting with acute lameness, all had chronic abnormalities detected through imaging.
- All horses were treated with phenylbutazone (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug often used for pain relief in horses) and rest.
- Within a span of 2 to 4 months, all horses were free of lameness, and they could return to their previous use after 3 to 8 months.
Research Conclusions
- The results suggest that performance horses suffering from enthesopathy and desmitis in the medial collateral ligament of the cubital joint have a good prognosis for returning to their prior roles following appropriate treatment. This is a positive finding for horse owners and veterinarians alike, as it provides hope for full recovery and return to normal activities for horses afflicted with these conditions.
Cite This Article
APA
Dabareiner RM, Chaffin MK, Quirham H, Carter GK.
(2013).
Enthesopathy and desmitis of the medial collateral ligament of the cubital joint in 4 horses.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 242(8), 1152-1158.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.242.8.1152 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA. rdabareiner@cvm.tamu.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
- Female
- Forelimb / pathology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal
- Ligaments / injuries
- Ligaments / pathology
- Male
- Phenylbutazone / therapeutic use
- Rest
- Rheumatic Diseases / pathology
- Rheumatic Diseases / veterinary
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