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The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2020; 61(4); 389-395;

Muscle tears as a primary cause of lameness in horses: 14 cases (2009-2016).

Abstract: This study describes clinical and ultrasonographic findings and outcomes of horses with lameness associated with muscle tears. Records of horses diagnosed with muscle tears were retrospectively evaluated. Horses in which one or more muscle tears were confirmed ultrasonographically and lameness was associated with the tear were included in the study ( = 14). Eight horses had tearing of a single muscle, 6 horses had 2 or more muscles involved. Twelve of 14 horses survived to discharge and were alive at follow-up (8 to 90 months). Recovery time ranged from 6 to 52 weeks (mean: 19.8 weeks); 6 to 16 weeks for single muscle injuries and 12 to 52 weeks for multiple muscle injuries. Of the 12 long-term survivors 3 had chronic lameness/stiffness preventing return to their previous activity level and 9 returned to equal or greater level of activity. No statistically significant difference existed between outcomes and location of injury or number of muscles injured. Key clinical message: This study indicates that conservative management of muscle tears can result in favorable long-term outcomes. La présente étude décrit les trouvailles cliniques et échographiques ainsi que le devenir de chevaux avec une boiterie associée à des déchirures musculaires. Les dossiers de chevaux diagnostiqués avec une déchirure musculaire furent rétrospectivement évalués. Les chevaux chez qui une ou plusieurs déchirures musculaires furent confirmées par échographie et dont la boiterie était associée avec la déchirure furent inclus dans l’étude ( = 14). Huit chevaux avaient une déchirure de seulement un muscle, 6 chevaux avaient 2 muscles ou plus d’impliqués. Douze des 14 chevaux ont survécu jusqu’au congé et étaient vivants lors du suivi (8 à 90 mois). Le temps de guérison varia de 6 à 52 semaines (moyenne: 19,8 semaines); 6 à 16 semaines pour une blessure à seulement un muscle et 12 à 52 semaines pour des blessures musculaires multiples. Parmi les 12 survivants à long-terme, trois avaient une boiterie chronique/raideur empêchant un retour à leur niveau d’activité antérieur et neuf retournèrent à un niveau d’activité égal ou plus grand. Aucune différence statistiquement significative n’existait entre le devenir des chevaux et la localisation de la blessure ou le nombre de muscles blessés.Message clinique clé:Cette étude démontre qu’une gestion conservatrice des déchirures musculaires peut résulter en une issu favorable à long terme.(Traduit par D Serge Messier).
Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
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Publication Date: 2020-04-08 PubMed ID: 32255824PubMed Central: PMC7074207
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  • Journal Article

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.

The research analyzes clinical and ultrasound findings from horses diagnosed with muscle tears leading to lameness, evaluating the success of conservative treatment methods in long-term recovery. The study did not find any significant correlation between the location or number of muscle injuries and recovery outcomes.

Methodology of the Study

  • The study included horses presenting with lameness associated with muscle tears confirmed through ultrasound.
  • Records from 14 horses, diagnosed between 2009 and 2016, were examined retrospectively.
  • Some horses had a single muscle tear whereas others had multiple muscles affected.

Findings and Outcomes

  • Out of the 14 horses included in the study, 12 survived until discharge and were alive at the time of follow-up.
  • The follow-up period ranged from eight to 90 months.
  • The recovery time varied significantly, ranging from 6 to 52 weeks with an average of around 19.8 weeks.
  • It was also observed that the recovery time for injuries involving a single muscle was shorter (6 to 16 weeks) in comparison to those involving injuries to multiple muscles (12 to 52 weeks).

Impact on Activity Level

  • Among the 12 long-term survivors, three presented chronic lameness or stiffness, which restricted them from returning to their original level of activity.
  • However, nine were able to return to an equal or even higher level of activity as compared to prior to the injury.
  • A crucial finding of the study was that the location or number of muscles injured had no statistically significant impact on these outcomes.

Key Takeaways

  • Overall, the study concluded that conservative management of muscle tears led to favorable long-term results.
  • Given that a majority of the horses were able to return to their prior or greater activity level, the study indicates optimism for horses suffering from muscle tears.

Cite This Article

APA
Cullen TE, Semevolos SA, Stieger-Vanegas SM, Duesterdieck-Zellmer K. (2020). Muscle tears as a primary cause of lameness in horses: 14 cases (2009-2016). Can Vet J, 61(4), 389-395.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 61
Issue: 4
Pages: 389-395

Researcher Affiliations

Cullen, Thomas E
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA.
Semevolos, Stacy A
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA.
Stieger-Vanegas, Susanne M
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA.
Duesterdieck-Zellmer, Katja
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Gait
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Lameness, Animal
  • Muscular Diseases / veterinary
  • Retrospective Studies

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Watkins AR, Hopster K, Levine D, Hurcombe SD. Cervical Epidural Spinal Analgesia for Acute Management of Severe Unilateral Forelimb Lameness: Case Report. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:749713.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.749713pubmed: 34805340google scholar: lookup
  2. James C, Lloyd EM, Arthur PG. The Level of Thiol-Oxidised Plasma Albumin Is Elevated Following a Race in Australian Thoroughbred Horses. Vet Med Sci 2025 Jul;11(4):e70487.
    doi: 10.1002/vms3.70487pubmed: 40644475google scholar: lookup
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