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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Injury to the palmar supporting structures of the fetlock al...
Equine veterinary journal2024; doi: 10.1111/evj.14409

Injury to the palmar supporting structures of the fetlock alters limb stiffness and fetlock angle.

Abstract: In vivo measurement of limb stiffness and conformation provides a non-invasive proxy assessment of superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and suspensory ligament (SL) function. Here, we compared it in fore and hindlimbs and after injury. Objective: To compare the limb stiffness and conformation in forelimbs and hindlimbs, changes with age, and following injury to the SDFT and SL. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Limb stiffness was calculated using floor scales and an electrogoniometer taped to the dorsal fetlock. The fetlock angle and weight were simultaneously recorded five times with the limb weight-bearing and when the opposite limb was picked up (increased load). Limb stiffness of both limbs was calculated from the gradient of the regression line of angle versus load. Fetlock angle when the weight was zero was extrapolated from the graph and used as a measure of conformation. Limb stiffness was measured in uninjured forelimbs (n = 42 limbs), hindlimbs (n = 19 limbs), forelimbs with SDFT injury (n = 18) and hindlimbs with SL injury (n = 5). Results: Limb stiffness correlated with weight in forelimbs as shown previously (p < 0.001) but also in hindlimbs (p = 0.006). When normalised to the horse's weight (503 kg, IQR 471.5-560), forelimb stiffness was significantly higher (22.3 [±4.5] × 10 degree) than for the hindlimb (16.4 [±4.0] × 10 degree; p < 0.001). While there were no significant differences between forelimb and hindlimb conformation in unaffected or SDFT injury, both limb stiffness and conformation was significantly greater in limbs with SL injury (p = 0.009 and p = 0.002, respectively). Conclusions: Small sample size, lack of clinical data including lameness and quantification of injuries. Conclusions: Injury to the forelimb SDFT does not alter limb stiffness or conformation in the long-term, while hindlimb SL injury simultaneously increases limb stiffness and fetlock angle, suggesting an increase in SL length following injury. Unassigned: Die in vivo Messung der Steifigkeit und Konformation der Gliedmaßen bietet eine nicht‐invasive Möglichkeit zur Beurteilung der Funktion der oberflächlichen Beugesehne (SDFT) und des Fesselträgers (SL). Diese wurde bei Vorder‐ und Hintergliedmaßen sowie nach einer Verletzung verglichen. Unassigned: Der Vergleich der Steifigkeit und Konformation der Gliedmaßen bei Vorder‐ und Hintergliedmaßen, Veränderungen im Alter und nach Verletzungen der SDFT und SL. Methods: Retrospektive Kohortenstudie. Methods: Die Steifigkeit der Gliedmaßen wurde mithilfe von Bodenwaagen und einem an das dorsale Fesselgelenk geklebten Elektrogoniometer berechnet. Der Fesselwinkel und das Gewicht wurden gleichzeitig fünfmal erfasst, sowohl mit tragender Gliedmaße als auch bei Anheben der gegenüberliegenden Gliedmaße (erhöhte Belastung). Die Steifigkeit der Gliedmaßen beider Beine wurde aus der Steigung der Regressionslinie von Winkel zu Last berechnet. Der Fesselwinkel bei einem Gewicht von null wurde aus dem Diagramm extrapoliert und als Maß für die Konformation verwendet. Die Steifigkeit der Gliedmaßen wurde bei unverletzten Vordergliedmaßen (n = 42 Gliedmaßen), Hintergliedmaßen (n = 19 Gliedmaßen), Vordergliedmaßen mit SDFT‐Verletzung (n = 18) und Hintergliedmaßen mit SL‐Verletzung (n = 5) gemessen. Results: Die Steifigkeit der Gliedmaßen korrelierte mit dem Gewicht bei den Vordergliedmaßen, wie zuvor gezeigt (p < 0,001), aber auch bei den Hintergliedmaßen (p = 0,006). Nach Normierung auf das Gewicht des Pferdes (503 kg, IQR 471,5–560) war die Steifigkeit der Vordergliedmaßen signifikant höher (22,3 [±4,5] × 10 Grad‐1) als die der Hintergliedmaßen (16,4 [±4,0] × 10 Grad‐1; p < 0,001). Während es keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen der Konformation von Vorder‐ und Hintergliedmaßen bei unbeeinträchtigten oder SDFT‐verletzten Tieren gab, waren sowohl die Steifigkeit als auch die Konformation bei Gliedmaßen mit SL‐Verletzung signifikant größer (p = 0,009 bzw. p = 0,002). WICHTIGSTE EINSCHRÄNKUNGEN: Kleine Stichprobengröße, Mangel an klinischen Daten, einschließlich Lahmheit und Quantifizierung der Verletzungen. Unassigned: Eine Verletzung der oberflächlichen Beugesehne (SDFT) der Vordergliedmaße verändert die Steifigkeit oder Konformation der Gliedmaße langfristig nicht, während eine Verletzung des Fesselträgers (SL) der Hintergliedmaße gleichzeitig die Steifigkeit der Gliedmaße und den Fesselwinkel erhöht, was auf eine Verlängerung des Fesselträgers nach der Verletzung hindeutet.
© 2024 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2024-09-01 PubMed ID: 39219092DOI: 10.1111/evj.14409Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research investigates how injury to the palmar supporting structures of a horse’s fetlock (part of the horse’s leg) can change the limb stiffness and angle of the fetlock. A key finding is that injury to these structures in the hindlimb increases limb stiffness and changes the fetlock angle, suggesting a length increase in the suspensory ligament after injury.

Study Objective and Methods

  • The objective of the study was to compare limb stiffness and conformation in forelimbs and hindlimbs of horses, changes with age, and how these aspects are impacted if the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and suspensory ligament (SL) are injured.
  • A total of 84 individual horse limbs were used in this retrospective analysis, with measurements done on both forelimbs and hindlimbs that were uninjured, as well as limbs with SDFT or SL injuries.
  • To measure limb stiffness, the researchers used floor scales and an electrogoniometer that was taped to the fetlock. Measurements were taken both while the limb was weight-bearing and when the horse’s opposite limb was lifted (increasing load on the limb being measured).
  • The angle of the fetlock when the weight was zero was also extrapolated and used as an indicator of limb shape or conformation.

Key Findings

  • Results indicate that limb stiffness in both forelimbs and hindlimbs correlates with weight, suggesting that it’s an intrinsic structural characteristic of the limb.
  • Even with the horse’s weight factored in, forelimb stiffness is significantly higher than that of the hindlimb.
  • There was no notable difference between forelimb and hindlimb conformation in uninjured limbs or those with a SDFT injury.
  • However, both limb stiffness and conformation were significantly greater in limbs with an SL injury. This suggests an increase in SL length following injury and has implications for a horse’s locomotion and potential recovery from injury.

Study Limitations

  • The study does have limitations, notably the small sample size.
  • Additionally, no clinical data was included, specifically information about lameness in the horses and quantitative details about the injuries incurred.

The conclusion of the research implies that, while a forelimb SDFT injury does not seem to change limb stiffness or conformation in the long-term, a hindlimb SL injury increases both limb stiffness and the fetlock angle. This could potentially indicate changes in the structure and function of the suspensory ligament following injury, which is an important insight for further research and in the treatment and management of such injuries in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Hanousek K, Fiske-Jackson A, O'Leary L, Smith RKW. (2024). Injury to the palmar supporting structures of the fetlock alters limb stiffness and fetlock angle. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14409

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Hanousek, Katherine
  • Equine Referral Hospital, Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire, UK.
Fiske-Jackson, Andrew
  • Equine Referral Hospital, Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire, UK.
O'Leary, Lauren
  • Equine Referral Hospital, Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire, UK.
Smith, Roger K W
  • Equine Referral Hospital, Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire, UK.

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