Medical management of superficial digital flexor tendonitis: a comparative study in 219 horses (1992-2000).

The study endeavors to compare several methods of short-term medical treatment for superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendonitis in horses regarding long-term recovery results, and to investigate if certain sports disciplines or initial injury scoring determines reinjury rates. The study finds that a treatment with the use of beta aminoproprionitrile fumarate (BAPN) effectively reduces the risk of reinjury, and that fiber alignment score (FAS) offers indicative predictive value of recovery outcome.

Study Design and Procedure

• The research features two parts. An initial division of horses into four groups, each receiving different treatments, and a secondary study involving a different method of treatment and controlled exertion.
• Group A were exposed solely to a regimen of controlled exercise. Group B received the same exercise regimen in addition to intralesional injections of hyaluronan. Group Ci received intralesional and systemic treatment with PSGAG, again adhering to the same exercise regimen. Group Cii were similar to Group Ci but only received systemic treatment with PSGAG.
• The second part of the study, Group D horses followed a different exercise regimen and were treated with intralesional injections of BAPN.
• All horses were monitored and periodically reevaluated for up to six years after they resumed full work.

Major Findings of the Study

• In terms of reinjury rates in the treated limbs, no significant differences were found between the first four groups (Groups A, B, Ci, and Cii).
• Group D displayed a significantly lower reinjury rate in the treated limb(s) when compared to the other groups.
• However, if the reinjury rate of the untreated limb was considered, Group D’s results matched those of Study 1.
• FAS at 4 months after treatment served as a strong predictor of the treatment outcome in Study 2.
• Reinjury rates for various sports disciplines remained consistent between both studies, with the risk ascending from showjumpers, to event horses, to National Hunt, and finally peaking with flat racehorses.

Implications and Conclusions

• It was concluded the use of BAPN effectively lowers the risk of reinjury in the treated limb. However, this did not affect the overall rate of subsequent injuries.
• In addition, the study indicates that the FAS taken 4 months post-treatment offers a strong predictive outlook on recovery.
• This comprehensive long-term study provides valuable prognostic information to be used in the care and management of horses across different sports disciplines suffering from SDF tendonitis.