Mechanical and functional properties of the equine superficial digital flexor tendon.
Abstract: The in vitro and in vivo mechanical properties of the superficial digital flexor tendon have been described. To date the focus has been on single load to failure testing, however refined in vivo methods may prove useful to evaluate the effects of treatment and exercise on tendons. During maximal exercise, the adult superficial digital flexor tendon operates close to its functional limits with a narrow biomechanical safety margin. This combined with exercise and age associated microdamage, and a limited adaptive ability may increase the risk of fatigue failure. Studies evaluating treatment regimens for tendonitis have focused on repair and regeneration and yielded varying results. It would appear that the superficial digital flexor tendon has a limited ability if any to adapt positively to exercise after maturity. In contrast, the foal's superficial digital flexor tendon may have a greater adaptive ability and may respond to an appropriate exercise regimen to produce a more functionally adapted tendon. Recent studies have shown that foals allowed free pasture exercise develop a larger, stronger, more elastic tendon compared to foals that were confined or subjected to a training program. Effects on the non-collagenous matrix appear to be responsible for these differences. In contrast, training or excess exercise may have permanent detrimental effects on the biomechanical and functional properties of the superficial digital flexor tendon in the foal. The implication is that the determination of optimum exercise intensity and timing, and the role of the non-collagenous matrix in tendon physiology in the young horse may hold the key to developing tendons more capable of resisting injury.
Publication Date: 2005-09-01 PubMed ID: 16129339DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.03.021Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article discusses the mechanical and functional properties of the superficial digital flexor tendon in horses, focusing on the effects of exercise, age, treatment, and its ability to adapt.
Mechanical Properties of the Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon
- The superficial digital flexor tendon in horses demonstrates certain in vitro and in vivo mechanical properties which this study set out to explore.
- This tendon in horses, especially adult ones, operates close to its functional limits during maximal exercise, with a narrow biomechanical safety margin.
- Factors such as age and sustained exercise could cause microdamage and fatigue failure with limited possibility for the tendon to adapt or self-repair itself in mature horses.
Effects of Treatment and Exercise on the Tendon
- Attempts to treat tendonitis, an inflammation of the tendons, through various regimens mainly targeting repair and regeneration have resulted in dissimilar outcomes.
- The research suggests that the ability of the superficial digital flexor tendon to adapt positively to exercise after maturity might be very minimal.
- Conversely, the tendon in young horses (foals) demonstrates a higher capacity for adaptation and could be influenced positively by appropriate exercise regimens.
Effects of Exercise on Young Horses
- Recent studies have found that foals allowed free pasture exercise develop a larger, stronger, and more elastic tendon compared to those confined or subjected to a training program.
- The difference may be attributed to effects on the non-collagenous matrix – a component of the tendon that provides strength and flexibility.
- However, training or excessive exercise might have a permanent negative impact on the biomechanical and functional properties of the foal’s superficial digital flexor tendon.
Conclusion and Implications
- The results imply the necessity of understanding the ideal exercise intensity and timing for young horses. This can aid in developing tendons that are more capable of resisting injury.
- Research into the role of the non-collagenous matrix in tendon physiology might be key to understanding how to enhance the tendons’ robustness and reduce injury.
Cite This Article
APA
Dowling BA, Dart AJ.
(2005).
Mechanical and functional properties of the equine superficial digital flexor tendon.
Vet J, 170(2), 184-192.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.03.021 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University Veterinary Centre Camden, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Werombi Road, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Aging
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Collagen
- Forelimb
- Horses / physiology
- Physical Exertion
- Tendons / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 18 times.- Schade J, de Souza AF, Vincensi LC, Müller TR, Fonteque JH. Ultrasound Morphometry and Mean Echogenicity of Digital Flexor Tendons, Suspensory Ligament, and Accessory Ligament of Digital Deep Flexor Tendon in Gaited Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 20;13(8).
- Schade J, de Souza AF, Vincensi LC, Fonteque JH. The influence of the metacarpophalangeal joint angle on the transversal area and mean echogenicity of the superficial digital flexor tendon and suspensory ligament in gaited horses.. J Equine Sci 2021 Dec;32(4):135-141.
- Wagner FC, Reese S, Gerlach K, Böttcher P, Mülling CKW. Cyclic tensile tests of Shetland pony superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFTs) with an optimized cryo-clamp combined with biplanar high-speed fluoroscopy.. BMC Vet Res 2021 Jun 25;17(1):223.
- Logan AA, Nielsen BD. Training Young Horses: The Science behind the Benefits.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Feb 9;11(2).
- Ghayemi N, Sarrafzadeh-Rezaei F, Malekinejad H, Behfar M, Farshid AA. Effects of rabbit pinna-derived blastema cells on tendon healing.. Iran J Basic Med Sci 2020 Jan;23(1):13-19.
- Schlecht SH, Martin CT, Ochocki DN, Nolan BT, Wojtys EM, Ashton-Miller JA. Morphology of Mouse Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Complex Changes Following Exercise During Pubertal Growth.. J Orthop Res 2019 Sep;37(9):1910-1919.
- Hagen J, Kojah K, Geiger M. Correlations between the equine metacarpophalangeal joint angulation and toe conformation in statics.. Open Vet J 2018;8(1):96-103.
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- Kamineni S, Butterfield T, Sinai A. Percutaneous ultrasonic debridement of tendinopathy-a pilot Achilles rabbit model.. J Orthop Surg Res 2015 May 20;10:70.
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- Behfar M, Hobbenaghi R, Sarrafzadeh-Rezaei F. Effects of flunixin meglumine on experimental tendon wound healing: A histopathological and mechanical study in rabbits.. Vet Res Forum 2013 Fall;4(4):233-8.
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