Extensor tendon lacerations in horses: 50 cases (1982-1988).
Abstract: Medical records of 50 horses with extensor tendon lacerations affecting 53 limbs over 7 years (1982 to 1988) were reviewed to determine the clinical features and prognosis for athletic soundness after treatment. Mean and median ages were 4.8 and 3 years, respectively. Eighty-nine percent of the injuries involved the hind limbs, with approximately equal distribution between the right and left limbs. Hind limb lacerations involved the long digital extensor tendon (28 limbs), lateral digital extensor tendon (3 limbs), or both tendons (16 limbs). Forelimb lacerations involved the common digital extensor tendon (2 limbs), lateral digital extensor tendon (1 limb), or both tendons (3 limbs). Joint involvement was found in 6 cases. Wound management varied according to wound characteristics, financial constraints of owners, and clinician preference. External coaptation consisted of a 3-layered cotton bandage in 33 limbs, splint and cotton bandage in 12 limbs, fiberglass or plaster-of-Paris cast in 5 limbs, and no form of coaptation in 3 limbs. Follow-up information for 40 cases at least 1 year after injury revealed that 29 (73%) horses had returned to athletic soundness, 7 (18%) horses were pasture sound, 3 horses were chronically lame, and 1 horse was euthanatized during treatment because of wound sepsis. Depending on the hind limb tendons involved, return to athletic soundness ranged from 62% (long digital and lateral digital extensor tendons lacerated) to 80% (long digital extensor tendon lacerated) The small number of forelimb lacerations precluded any comparative data.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1993-08-01 PubMed ID: 8226222
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research studied 50 cases of horses with extensor tendon lacerations over the span of seven years to observe the clinical features and the prognosis of their athletic performance after treatment.
Overview of the Research
- The research involved a review of medical records of 50 horses suffering from extensor tendon lacerations on 53 limbs during the period from 1982 to 1988.
- The ages of the horses averaged around 3 – 4.8 years. A significant portion of the injuries, about 89%, affected the hind limbs of the horses and were distributed almost equally between the right and left limbs.
- The majority of the hind limb lacerations were of the long digital extensor tendon and lateral digital extensor tendon or, in some cases, both tendons. On the other hand, injuries to the forelimbs mainly involved the common digital extensor tendon, the lateral digital extensor tendon or a combination of both.
Treatment and Prognosis
- Necessary treatments were implemented based on the wound’s characteristics, the owner’s financial situation and the preference of the attending veterinarian.
- The external coaptation used for treatment varied and included uses of a three-layered cotton bandage, a splint and cotton bandage, a fiberglass or plaster-of-Paris cast, or no coaptation in a few cases.
- Follow-up data collected a year post-injury from 40 cases showed divergent recovery scenarios. A majority of horses (73%) had regained their athletic ability post-injury, while others were either pasture sound (18%), chronically lame, or had to be euthanized during the treatment process due to wound sepsis.
- In terms of specific injuries, the rate of return to athletic soundness ranged from 62% for horses with both the long digital and lateral digital extensor tendons lacerated to 80% for horses with only the long digital extensor tendon lacerated.
Limitations
- The research faced a limitation in drawing comparative data due to the small number of cases involving forelimb lacerations.
Cite This Article
APA
Belknap JK, Baxter GM, Nickels FA.
(1993).
Extensor tendon lacerations in horses: 50 cases (1982-1988).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 203(3), 428-431.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Forelimb
- Hindlimb
- Horses / injuries
- Male
- Metacarpus / pathology
- Metatarsus / pathology
- Necrosis
- Osteitis / etiology
- Osteitis / veterinary
- Prognosis
- Retrospective Studies
- Tendon Injuries / complications
- Tendon Injuries / therapy
- Tendon Injuries / veterinary
- Wound Infection / etiology
- Wound Infection / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Chanda M, Klinphayom C, Sungsuwan T, Senarat W, Thongkham E, Kamlangdee A, Senarat N. Diagnostic imaging features, cytological examination, and treatment of lymphocytic tenosynovitis of the common digital extensor tendon sheath in an eventing horse. Vet Anim Sci 2021 Dec;14:100209.
- Tsang AS, Dart AJ, Biasutti SA, Jeffcott LB, Smith MM, Little CB. Effects of tendon injury on uninjured regional tendons in the distal limb: An in-vivo study using an ovine tendinopathy model. PLoS One 2019;14(4):e0215830.
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