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Veterinary surgery : VS2020; 50(2); 273-282; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13552

Outcome following neurectomy of the deep branch lateral plantar nerve and plantar fasciotomy for hindlimb proximal suspensory desmopathy in western performance horses: 21 cases.

Abstract: To report the outcome of horses used in western performance disciplines after deep branch lateral plantar neurectomy/fasciotomy surgery for hind limb proximal suspensory desmopathy (PSD). Methods: Retrospective analysis. Methods: Twenty-one client-owned horses. Methods: Medical records were reviewed (2009-2019) for horses involved in western performance disciplines that had been treated with deep branch lateral plantar neurectomy and plantar fasciotomy for lameness due to hind limb PSD. Follow-up was obtained by reexamination and/or verbal interviews with owners >2 years postoperatively. Results: Sixteen quarter horses and five paints were used for western pleasure (14/21), barrel racing (2/21), cutting (1/21), steer wrestling (1/21), working cow horse (1/21), team roping (1/21) and reining (1/21). A median duration of 8 months was required before horses were able to resume training or athletic work. Nine horses were able to return to a similar or higher level of athletic use, nine horses returned to a lower level of athletic performance, and three horses could not return to intended function. Owner satisfaction with outcome after the procedure was high (16/21), average (3/21), and low (2/21). Conclusions: Deep branch lateral plantar neurectomy and plantar fasciotomy allowed most horses to resume some athletic function as western performance horses. Conclusions: These results provide evidence of potential outcomes when considering surgical treatment of hind limb PSD in western performance horses.
© 2020 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2020-12-16 PubMed ID: 33331004DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13552Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This research article presents a retrospective analysis of the outcomes for western performance horses that underwent deep branch lateral plantar neurectomy/fasciotomy surgery for hind limb proximal suspensory desmopathy (PSD). The primary findings suggest that the majority of horses were able to return to some form of athletic function post-surgery, with varying levels of success and satisfaction from owners.

Objective and Methodology of the Research

  • The study aimed to investigate and report on the outcomes of horses engaged in western performance disciplines that were treated with deep branch lateral plantar neurectomy and plantar fasciotomy, due to lameness caused by hind limb PSD.
  • The researchers performed a retrospective analysis of medical records from 2009 to 2019.
  • The sample included 21 horses owned by clients; comprising of 16 quarter horses and five paints.

Results of the Investigation

  • The horses were involved in western pleasure, barrel racing, cutting, steer wrestling, working cow horse, team roping, and reining.
  • On average, a duration of 8 months was required before horses could resume training or return to their athletic work after surgery.
  • The outcomes regarding the level of athletic performance post-surgery varied: Nine horses returned to a similar or higher level of athletic function, nine returned to a lower level, and three were unable to return to their intended function.
  • The owner’s satisfaction with the surgical outcome was also measured: 16 owners reported high satisfaction, three reported average satisfaction, and two reported low satisfaction.

Conclusions of the Research

  • Based on the results, the study concludes that plantar neurectomy and fasciotomy allowed most of the treated horses to resume some form of athletic activity.
  • The outcomes of this analysis provide evidence that may be considered when determining the potential effect of surgical treatment for PSD in western performance horses.

This study thus provides valuable insights into the probable outcomes and satisfaction levels following surgical treatment for PSD in western performance horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Tatarniuk DM, Hill JA, Modesto RB, Swor TM, Caston SS, Kersh KD. (2020). Outcome following neurectomy of the deep branch lateral plantar nerve and plantar fasciotomy for hindlimb proximal suspensory desmopathy in western performance horses: 21 cases. Vet Surg, 50(2), 273-282. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13552

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 50
Issue: 2
Pages: 273-282

Researcher Affiliations

Tatarniuk, Dane M
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
Hill, Jacqueline A
  • Littleton Equine Medical Center, Littleton, Colorado.
Modesto, Rolf B
  • Brown Equine Hospital, Somerset, Pennsylvania.
Swor, Tamara M
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
Caston, Stephanie S
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
Kersh, Kevin D
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Denervation / statistics & numerical data
  • Denervation / veterinary
  • Fasciitis, Plantar / surgery
  • Fasciitis, Plantar / veterinary
  • Female
  • Hindlimb / pathology
  • Hindlimb / surgery
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horses
  • Ligaments / pathology
  • Ligaments / surgery
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tibial Nerve / pathology
  • Tibial Nerve / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome

References

This article includes 16 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. 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.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14447pubmed: 39604165google scholar: lookup
  2. Scharf A, de Solis CN, Sampson SN, Glass K, Watts AE. Suspensory ligament size does not change after plantar fasciotomy and neurectomy of the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve by ultrasonographic assessment. Vet Surg 2022 Feb;51(2):259-269.
    doi: 10.1111/vsu.13757pubmed: 34970755google scholar: lookup
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