Long-term effects of desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor muscle in standardbreds: 23 cases (1979-1989).

The study explores the long-term impacts of a surgical procedure, desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor, on standardbred foals with flexural deformities. The findings suggest that the surgery significantly increases these foals’ chances of becoming successful racing horses, especially when conducted at a younger age.

Overview of the Research

• The research was conducted to determine the long-term effects of the surgical procedure known as ‘inferior check desmotomy’ on standardbred foals suffering from flexural deformities.
• This 10-year-long study included 23 standardbreds foals, with the effects of the procedure analyzed over this extended period.

Key Findings

• Out of the 11 foals that underwent the surgery, six either successfully participated in at least six races or were “sound in training” if they were yearlings (one-year-old).
• On the other hand, all 12 standardbreds that did not undergo the desmotomy procedure had unfavorable outcomes, which meant that they did not gain a race record.
• The study also found a correlation between the age of the foals at the time of the surgery and their performance. Foals that had undergone surgery at an earlier age, in most cases, had better chances of achieving a favorable outcome (racing or training sound).
• No foal that was treated after eight months of age, and only one foal older than five months at the time of surgery, had a favorable outcome. This finding reinforced the correlation found between the age of the foal at the time of the surgery and its later racing capacity.
• Additionally, in the case of five foals where the surgery did not yield a successful outcome (i.e., racing or training sound), three were a year or older at the time of surgery and exhibited lameness when training was initiated on the limb(s) with the desmotomy.

Conclusion

• The findings of the research indicate that carrying out desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor muscle can have a significant positive effect on the racing performances of standardbred foals with flexural deformities, especially when performed at a younger age.
• Moreover, the unsatisfactory outcomes noted in this study were majorly associated with surgeries carried out on older foals, further emphasizing the role of the foal’s age at the time of surgery on the procedure’s effectiveness.