Hindlimb kinematics before and after laser fibrotomy in horses with fibrotic myopathy.

The research discusses the use of laser fibrotomy, followed by early post-operative exercise, as an effective treatment for horses affected by fibrotic myopathy, a condition leading to severe gait abnormalities.

Objective and Methodology of the Study

• The principal objective of the research was to assess, with objective measures, the gait abnormalities caused by fibrotic myopathy in horses before and after they had undergone a procedure called laser fibrotomy and early post-operative exercise.
• The method involved a kinematic analysis of eight horses with the condition, walking and trotting on a treadmill. This process helped the researchers study the trajectory of the hind feet and the extent of lameness in five of the horses.
• Several parameters were measured such as the Hoof flight trajectory length (HFTL), relative protraction length (% PL), maximum hoof height during swing (MXHH), hoof height at the end of protraction and retraction. Differences between limbs affected by fibrotic myopathy and healthy limbs were also recorded.
• Lameness was calculated by measuring the variations in the maximum and minimum pelvic height between the right and left half of the stride.

Results of the Study

• Prior to surgery, the fibrotic myopathy-affected limb displayed abnormal trajectories, as evidenced by an increase in HFTL, MXHH and HH(peo) and a decrease in % PL and HH(ret). The assessed horses also displayed lameness in the affected limb.
• After surgery, the differences between the affected and non-affected limbs lessened for HFTL, % PL and HH(pro). However, six to eleven weeks post-surgery, the difference in HFTL increased slightly, indicating a partial recurrence of the gait abnormality, although it remained less than the pre-operative stage.
• Following surgery, all the horses objectively evaluated for lameness either improved or were not lame in the previously affected limb.

Conclusions from the Study

• The study concluded that fibrotic myopathy influences the foot flight of horses and results in an asymmetrical vertical movement of the pelvis.
• Laser fibrotomy, followed by early post-operative exercise, was found to reduce these abnormalities substantially.
• The study supported laser fibrotomy combined with early post-operative exercise as a functional therapeutic intervention for fibrotic myopathy.