Long-term athletic performance in sport horses after desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon.
Abstract: Outcome after desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (AL-DDFT) to treat flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint has been reported to be excellent. However, no studies have compared long-term athletic performance of sport horses exposed to desmotomy of the AL-DDFT to that of matched controls. Objective: The objective of this study is to compare long-term athletic performance in sports horses subjected to desmotomy of the AL-DDFT with the performance of matched controls. Methods: This is an observational multicentre retrospective matched cohort study. Methods: Records from horses undergoing desmotomy of the AL-DDFT between 2004 and 2015 were reviewed. Various databases were used to identify age-matched siblings as unexposed controls and data on the horses' athletic careers. Results: Seventy-four exposed and 194 matched unexposed horses were included. Although not significantly different, the proportion of exposed horses entering competition (28%, 95% CI 16%-38%) had a substantial risk difference compared with the proportion of unexposed horses entering competition (38%, 95% CI 26%-44%) (P = .2). Career longevity was significantly better for unexposed (15.6 competitions [95% CI 10.7-22.5] over a median of 570 days [IQR 210-1340]) than for exposed horses (9.7 competitions [95% CI 6.4-14.6] over a median of 219 days [IQR 2-1159] for horses operated in one limb and 6.1 competitions [95% CI 3.6-9.9] over a median of 446 days [IQR 23-603 days] for horses operated in two limbs, P < .001). Age at surgery and whether the condition was unilateral or bilateral did not affect chance of competing. Conclusions: Small sample size, varying quality of medical records, stage of contraction not noted in many records and missing information on reasons for not entering into competition. Conclusions: Desmotomy of the AL-DDFT is associated with decreased long-term athletic performance in sport horses compared with matched unexposed horses.
© 2021 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2021-06-29 PubMed ID: 34050971DOI: 10.1111/evj.13472Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Multicenter Study
- Observational Study
- Athletic Horses
- Athletic Performance
- Clinical Findings
- Clinical Pathology
- Competition
- Deep Digital Flexor Tendon
- Distal Interphalangeal Joint
- Equine Health
- Equine Science
- Horse Management
- Limb Deformities
- Longitudinal Study
- Musculoskeletal System
- Observational Study
- Retrospective Study
- Sport Horses
- Surgery
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
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.
This study explores the long-term effects of a surgical procedure called desmotomy, used to treat certain joint deformities in sports horses. It suggests that horses which have undergone this procedure generally show a decrease in long-term athletic performance compared to similar horses that have not undergone the procedure.
Research Objective
The research aimed to analyze the long-term athletic performance of sport horses that underwent a procedure known as desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (AL-DDFT). This procedure is used to treat flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint, a condition prevalent in sport horses. Although previous studies found the outcome of this procedure to be excellent, no studies have explored its long-term impacts on the horse’s athletic performance compared to horses that never underwent the operation.
Research Methodology
- The researchers performed an observational multicenter retrospective matched cohort study.
- The team evaluated the records of sport horses that underwent desmotomy of the AL-DDFT between 2004 and 2015.
- They used various databases to identify age-matched siblings to serve as unexposed controls. They also tracked data on each horse’s respective athletic careers.
Research Results
- A total of 74 exposed horses (who underwent the procedure) and 194 unexposed horses were included in the study.
- While not significantly different, the study showed a risk difference between the proportion of exposed horses entering competition post-procedure (28%), and the unexposed horses entering competition (38%).
- Career longevity was significantly better for unexposed horses, who competed in more events over a median period of 570 days, as compared to the exposed horses who competed in fewer competitions over shorter periods, regardless of whether one or both limbs were operated on.
Research Limitations and Conclusions
- Limitations include a small sample size and the varying quality of medical records, alongside missing information on why some horses did not enter competitions.
- The condition stage and reasons for non-entry into competition were not noted in many records.
- Despite these limitations, the study concludes that desmotomy of the AL-DDFT is associated with decreased long-term athletic performance in sport horses when compared with matched unexposed horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Wismann ES, Jacobsen S, Thøfner M, Ladefoged S, Ekstrøm C, Lindegaard C.
(2021).
Long-term athletic performance in sport horses after desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon.
Equine Vet J, 54(3), 495-501.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13472 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Hørsholm Equine Hospital, Hørsholm, Denmark.
- Højgård Equine Hospital, Morud, Denmark.
- Section of Biostatistics, Department of Public, Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Athletic Performance
- Cohort Studies
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Humans
- Ligaments / surgery
- Retrospective Studies
- Tendons
References
This article includes 16 references
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