Fetlock annular ligament desmotomy: a report of 24 cases.
Abstract: Restriction of free movement of the flexor tendons through the fetlock canal results in lameness. The commonest cause was chronic synovitis of the digital sheath. The condition is characterised by an unremitting lameness, synovial distension and a notch on the caudal aspect of the limb. The condition can be relieved by section of the annular ligament of the fetlock. In a series of 24 cases 16 horses returned to work with no recurrence of lameness, three cases were lost to follow up and five animals remained lame; three of these had intercurrent disease.
Publication Date: 1984-03-01 PubMed ID: 6714212DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1984.tb01874.xGoogle 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.
- Journal Article
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 looks into fetlock annular ligament desmotomy in horses, a procedure that helps relieve chronic lameness due to synovitis. The study involved 24 horses and showed that most returned to work without recurrence of lameness after the procedure.
Objective of the Study
- The primary aim of the research was to evaluate the effectiveness of fetlock annular ligament desmotomy, a surgical procedure, in treating horses with lameness caused by the restriction of free movement of the flexor tendons through the fetlock canal.
Background
- The study focused on the condition of chronic synovitis of the digital sheath, identified as the most common cause for the restricted movement leading to lameness.
- This condition is marked by constant lameness, synovial distension, and a notch on the rear aspect of the limb.
Methodology of the Study
- The researchers observed a series of 24 cases involving horses with the said condition.
- They performed a desmotomy – a surgical sectioning of the annular ligament of the fetlock on these horses.
Results of the Study
- Out of the 24 subjects, 16 horses were able to return to work without any recurrence of lameness, indicating a majority positive outcome from the procedure.
- Three cases were lost to follow-up, so the researchers could not conclusively track their recovery trajectory.
- Five of the subjects remained lame after the procedure. It’s important to note that out of these five, three horses were dealing with an intercurrent disease, which could have impacted the procedure’s efficacy.
Implications of the Research
- The research findings highlight the potential of fetlock annular ligament desmotomy as an effective treatment for chronic lameness in horses caused by synovitis of the digital sheath.
- However, the results also indicate that the procedure’s effectiveness may vary in cases where the subjects are dealing with an additional/intercurrent disease, warranting further investigation into these specific scenarios.
Cite This Article
APA
Gerring EL, Webbon PM.
(1984).
Fetlock annular ligament desmotomy: a report of 24 cases.
Equine Vet J, 16(2), 113-116.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1984.tb01874.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Chronic Disease
- Female
- Foot / surgery
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / pathology
- Lameness, Animal / surgery
- Ligaments, Articular / pathology
- Ligaments, Articular / surgery
- Male
- Methods
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- van Veggel ECS, Selberg KT, van der Velde-Hoogelander B, Vanderperren K, Cokelaere SM, Bergman HJ. Deep Digital Flexor Tendon Injury at the Level of the Proximal Phalanx in Frontlimbs With Tendon Sheath Distension Characterized by Standing Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Horses: 13 Cases (2015-2021). Front Vet Sci 2021;8:734729.
- 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.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
