Magnetic resonance imaging features of proximal metacarpal and metatarsal injuries in the horse.
Abstract: Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging abnormalities in horses with lameness localized to the proximal metacarpal or metatarsal region have not been described. To accomplish that, the medical records of 45 horses evaluated with MR imaging that had lameness localized to either the proximal metacarpal or metatarsal region were reviewed. Abnormalities observed in the proximal suspensory ligament or the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon included abnormal high signal, enlargement, or alteration in shape. Twenty-three horses had proximal suspensory ligament desmitis (13 hindlimb, 10 forelimb). Sixteen horses had desmitis of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon. One horse had desmitis of the proximal suspensory ligament and the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon on the same limb and one horse had desmitis of the proximal suspensory ligament on one forelimb and desmitis of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon on the other forelimb. Four horses did not have abnormalities in the proximal suspensory ligament or accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon. Eighty percent of horses with forelimb proximal suspensory ligament desmitis and 69% of horses with hindlimb proximal suspensory ligament desmitis returned to their intended use. Sixty-three percent of horses with desmitis of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon were able to return to their intended use. MR imaging is a valuable diagnostic modality that allows diagnosis of injury in horses with lameness localized to the proximal metacarpal and metatarsal regions. The ability to accurately diagnose the source of lameness is important in selecting treatment that will maximize the chance to return to performance.
Publication Date: 2007-11-21 PubMed ID: 18018721DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2007.00288.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Evaluation Study
- Journal Article
- Clinical Findings
- Clinical Study
- Deep Digital Flexor Tendon
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Treatment
- Equine Health
- Exercise Physiology
- Horses
- Injury
- Lameness
- Ligaments
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Metacarpal Bone
- Metatarsal Bones
- Musculoskeletal System
- Prognosis
- Suspensory Ligament
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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The study examines how useful magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is in diagnosing injuries in horses’ proximal metacarpal or metatarsal regions. By reviewing 45 medical cases, researchers found abnormalities in the ligaments of these regions confirm that MR imaging is a potent diagnostic tool.
Research Methodology
The research involved reviewing the medical records of 45 horses. These horses displayed lameness localized to their proximal metacarpal or metatarsal regions. Through an analysis of MR imaging reports, the researchers identified and recorded abnormalities visible in these areas.
- The primary anomalies observed were within the proximal suspensory ligament or the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon.
- These anomalies included abnormal high signal, enlargement, and alterations in shape.
Findings and Observations
The review of the medical records and MR imaging led to the following results:
- A total of 23 horses were found to have proximal suspensory ligament desmitis, with 13 in the hindlimb and 10 in the forelimb.
- Desmitis of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon was diagnosed in 16 horses.
- Only one horse had desmitis on the same limb for both the proximal suspensory ligament and the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon.
- Another exceptional case found a horse with desmitis of the proximal suspensory ligament on one forelimb and desmitis of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon on the other forelimb.
- Four horses didn’t have abnormalities in either of the observed ligaments.
Prognostic Outcomes and Recovery Rates
The research also monitored the horses for their return to their usual activities after diagnosis and treatment.
- 80% of horses with forelimb proximal suspensory ligament desmitis and 69% of horses with hindlimb proximal suspensory ligament desmitis returned to their intended use.
- 63% of horses diagnosed with desmitis of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon were able to get back to their intended use.
Conclusion
This study concludes that MR imaging has been very effective in diagnosing horses with lameness concentrated in the proximal metacarpal and metatarsal regions. The ability to pinpoint the cause of lameness helps in choosing the proper treatment and increasing the chances of the horse returning to its performance level. Such diagnostic precision is critical for sports horses where optimal performance levels are highly valued.
Cite This Article
APA
Brokken MT, Schneider RK, Sampson SN, Tucker RL, Gavin PR, Ho CP.
(2007).
Magnetic resonance imaging features of proximal metacarpal and metatarsal injuries in the horse.
Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 48(6), 507-517.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-8261.2007.00288.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences , College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA. brokken@vetmed.wsu.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Horses / injuries
- Lameness, Animal
- Ligaments, Articular / injuries
- Ligaments, Articular / pathology
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
- Male
- Metacarpus / injuries
- Metacarpus / pathology
- Metatarsus / injuries
- Metatarsus / pathology
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Retrospective Studies
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- van Veggel E, Selberg K, van der Velde-Hoogelander B, Bolas N, Vanderperren K, Bergman HJ. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of the Proximal Metacarpal Region in Warmblood Horses: 36 Lame and 26 Control Limbs (2015-2021). Front Vet Sci 2021;8:714423.
- Mizobe F, Nomura M, Kato T, Nambo Y, Yamada K. Signal changes in standing magnetic resonance imaging of osseous injury at the origin of the suspensory ligament in four Thoroughbred racehorses under tiludronic acid treatment. J Equine Sci 2017;28(3):87-97.
- MacEoin F, Robinson P. Repetitive stress-related injury of the proximal metacarpus in a seven-year old Thoroughbred racehorse with emphasis on diagnostic analgesia of the proximopalmar metacarpus. Ir Vet J 2014;67(1):26.
- Guest DJ, Birch HL, Thorpe CT. A review of the equine suspensory ligament: Injury prone yet understudied. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1167-1182.
- Nahas AE, Hagag U. Magnetic resonance imaging of the dromedary camel carpus. BMC Vet Res 2024 Sep 6;20(1):394.
- van Veggel ECS, Vanderperren K, Selberg KT, Bergman HJ, Hoogelander B. The Evolution of Lesions on Follow-Up Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Proximal Metacarpal Region in Non-Racing Sport Horses That Returned to Work (2015-2023). Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 8;14(12).
- Dancot M, Joostens Z, Audigié F, Busoni V. The plantar proximal cortex of the third metatarsal bone shows raised longitudinal ridges at the suspensory ligament enthesis in normal equine isolated limbs - a radiographic, computed tomography, and MRI study. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1265116.
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