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Factors affecting the clinical outcome of injuries to the superficial digital flexor tendon in National Hunt and point-to-point racehorses.
Abstract: Ultrasonographic examination was used to define the severity of injuries to the superficial digital flexor tendon in 73 National Hunt or point-to-point racehorses and the factors influencing the outcome of the cases were examined. Thirty-four of the horses (46 per cent) returned to work with an average time out of training of 13.5 months. The rate of recurrence of the injury was 35 per cent. The severity of the lesions was related to the outcome; all the mildly affected horses returned to work, with 63 per cent of them racing and an average time out of training of 10.2 months; 50 per cent of the moderately affected horses returned to work, and 30 per cent raced with an average time out of training of 11.3 months; 30 per cent of the severely affected horses worked, and 23 per cent raced with an average time out of training of 18.3 months. The differences in outcome between unilateral and bilateral injuries within each severity group were not statistically significant. Seventy-six per cent of horses treated with polysulphated glycosaminoglycans returned to work, compared with 46 per cent of conservatively managed horses and 50 per cent of horses treated with laser therapy. However, these differences were not statistically significant and the rate of recurrence of the injury in the horses treated with polysulphated glycosaminoglycans was 50 per cent compared with only 31 per cent in the conservatively managed horses. Seventy per cent of the mares and 47 per cent of the geldings were retired from racing.
Publication Date: 1993-05-08 PubMed ID: 8506599DOI: 10.1136/vr.132.19.476Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research focuses on the impact of injuries to a particular tendon found in racehorses on their ability to perform, with severity of injury and the treatment method used identified as key influential factors.
Research Objectives
- The objective of the study was to understand the severity of injuries to the superficial digital flexor tendon in racehorses, using ultrasonographic examinations, and analyze the impact on their performance.
- The researchers also wanted to examine the varying factors, including the type of injury, severity, and variety of treatment methods, and how these factors influenced the outcome for the horses.
Key Findings
- The study found that less than half the injured horses returned to work after an average absence of 13.5 months.
- The severity of the lesions greatly influenced the results. Horses with mild injuries had a significantly better chance of returning to racing compared to horses with moderate and severe injuries. The latter also required a longer recovery time before returning to work.
- No significant difference was observed in the outcomes of horses with unilateral injuries versus those with bilateral injuries within each severity group.
- 76 per cent of the horses that were treated with polysulphated glycosaminoglycans, a specific treatment, returned to work compared to only 46 and 50 percent of horses that underwent conservative management or laser therapy respectively.
- A high recurrence rate of 35 percent was observed. Again, the severity of the initial injury played a role here, with horses treated with polysulphated glycosaminoglycans recording a higher recurrence rate than in conservatively managed horses.
- There was a noticeable gender difference in the outcome, with a majority of the mares being retired from racing compared to less than half of the geldings.
Implications
- The findings from the study indicate that the severity of the tendon injury significantly affects the performance outcome and recovery time of racehorses, with milder injuries yielding a better return-to-work rate and a shorter recovery period.
- The treatment method used also impacts the outcome. Injuries treated with polysulphated glycosaminoglycans seem more successful in getting the horses to return to work, although this treatment approach might lead to higher recurrence.
Cite This Article
APA
Marr CM, Love S, Boyd JS, McKellar Q.
(1993).
Factors affecting the clinical outcome of injuries to the superficial digital flexor tendon in National Hunt and point-to-point racehorses.
Vet Rec, 132(19), 476-479.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.132.19.476 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Glasgow Veterinary School.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Glycosaminoglycans / therapeutic use
- Horses / injuries
- Laser Therapy
- Recurrence
- Rest
- Sports
- Tendon Injuries / diagnostic imaging
- Tendon Injuries / therapy
- Tendon Injuries / veterinary
- Treatment Outcome
- Ultrasonography
Citations
This article has been cited 17 times.- White GW. Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan as a treatment for osteoarthritis in veterinary medicine: Summary of the pharmacological, laboratory, and clinical data. Open Vet J 2025 Sep;15(9):4007-4023.
- Taguchi T, Lopez M, Takawira C. Viable tendon neotissue from adult adipose-derived multipotent stromal cells. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023;11:1290693.
- Jacklin BD, Hanousek K, Gillespie S, Liedtke A, Tucker R, Fiske-Jackson A, Smith RK. Validation of a novel clinical tool for monitoring distal limb stiffness. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1271036.
- Millis DL, Bergh A. A Systematic Literature Review of Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine: Laser Therapy. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 14;13(4).
- Iimori M, Tamura N, Seki K, Kasashima Y. Relationship between the ultrasonographic findings of suspected superficial digital flexor tendon injury and the prevalence of subsequent severe superficial digital flexor tendon injuries in Thoroughbred horses: a retrospective study. J Vet Med Sci 2022 Feb 23;84(2):261-265.
- Isgren CM, Salem SE, Singer ER, Wylie CE, Lipreri G, Graham RJTY, Bladon B, Boswell JC, Fiske-Jackson AR, Mair TS, Rubio-Martínez LM. A multi-centre cohort study investigating the outcome of synovial contamination or sepsis of the calcaneal bursae in horses treated by endoscopic lavage and debridement. Equine Vet J 2020 May;52(3):404-410.
- Jacquet-Guibon S, Dupays AG, Coudry V, Crevier-Denoix N, Leroy S, Siñeriz F, Chiappini F, Barritault D, Denoix JM. Randomized controlled trial demonstrates the benefit of RGTA® based matrix therapy to treat tendinopathies in racing horses. PLoS One 2018;13(3):e0191796.
- Biasutti S, Dart A, Smith M, Blaker C, Clarke E, Jeffcott L, Little C. Spatiotemporal variations in gene expression, histology and biomechanics in an ovine model of tendinopathy. PLoS One 2017;12(10):e0185282.
- Geburek F, Gaus M, van Schie HT, Rohn K, Stadler PM. Effect of intralesional platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment on clinical and ultrasonographic parameters in equine naturally occurring superficial digital flexor tendinopathies - a randomized prospective controlled clinical trial. BMC Vet Res 2016 Sep 7;12(1):191.
- Rich T, Henderson LB, Becker DL, Cornell H, Patterson-Kane JC. Indicators of replicative damage in equine tendon fibroblast monolayers. BMC Vet Res 2013 Sep 11;9:180.
- Raabe O, Shell K, Goessl A, Crispens C, Delhasse Y, Eva A, Scheiner-Bobis G, Wenisch S, Arnhold S. Effect of extracorporeal shock wave on proliferation and differentiation of equine adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. Am J Stem Cells 2013;2(1):62-73.
- 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.
- Ryan T, Smith R. An investigation into the depth of penetration of low level laser therapy through the equine tendon in vivo. Ir Vet J 2007 May 1;60(5):295-9.
- Doyle A, Horgan NF. Perceptions of animal physiotherapy amongst Irish veterinary surgeons. Ir Vet J 2006 Feb 1;59(2):85-9.
- Murray SJ, Santangelo KS, Bertone AL. Evaluation of early cellular influences of bone morphogenetic proteins 12 and 2 on equine superficial digital flexor tenocytes and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. Am J Vet Res 2010 Jan;71(1):103-14.
- Smith RK, Webbon PM. Harnessing the stem cell for the treatment of tendon injuries: heralding a new dawn?. Br J Sports Med 2005 Sep;39(9):582-4.
- Archambault JM, Wiley JP, Bray RC. Exercise loading of tendons and the development of overuse injuries. A review of current literature. Sports Med 1995 Aug;20(2):77-89.
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