Excision of the deep branch of the lateral palmar nerve of horses to resolve lameness caused by proximal suspensory desmitis.

The article evaluates the use of neurectomy of the deep branch of the lateral palmar nerve (DBLPaN) in treating chronic lameness caused by proximal suspensory desmitis (PSD) in horses. The results indicated that all horses involved in the study were free of lameness 6 weeks after the procedure and continued to be sound for at least a year afterward.

Research Methodology

• The study is a case series involving adult, mixed-breed, amateur show-jumping horses that weighed between 510-585 kg. There were 4 horses in total with chronic lameness due to PSD in either one or both thoracic limbs.
• Medical records of these horses were reviewed, wherein chronic lameness was attributed to PSD.
• Regional anesthesia was used to locate the site of pain causing the lameness. Ultrasonographic examination of the proximal portion of the suspensory ligament of the affected limbs showed enlargement, however, there was no fiber disruption detected.
• When all the affected horses remained lame after conservative therapy, neurectomy was carried out. The horses were anesthetized and put in dorsal recumbency (on their backs) for the procedure.

Research Outcomes

• Six weeks subsequent to the neurectomy, all four horses were found to be sound, indicating that the surgical intervention was successful.
• This positive outcome was not transient; the horses was assessed again 12 months post-surgery and they were still found to be free from lameness.

Conclusions

• The research established that the cause of chronic lameness in horses attributed to PSD can be effectively treated by neurectomy of the DBLPaN.
• This surgical remedy was found to be particularly successful in cases where the horse had not responded favorably to conservative management strategies, such as rest or physiotherapy.