Outcome of desmoplasty and fasciotomy for desmitis involving the origin of the suspensory ligament in horses: 27 cases (1995-2004).

The research investigates the effectiveness of percutaneous ultrasound-guided desmoplasty with simultaneous fasciotomy for horses suffering from proximal suspensory desmitis, an inflammation of the suspensory ligament, and who didn’t respond to stall rest. It found that the majority of treated horses were able to return to work after surgery and rehabilitation and showed evidence of healing.

Methodology

• This study is a retrospective case series that focuses specifically on horses that suffered from proximal suspensory desmitis, an inflammation of the origin of the suspensory ligament.
• The research involved a total of 27 horses whose medical records were thoroughly examined. These horses were all treated with desmoplasty combined with fasciotomy due to their lack of response to traditional stall rest.
• The follow-up data were collected either through phone interviews with the horses’ owners and trainers or by direct examination of the horses at the hospital where they were treated.

Results

• The study found that 85% of the horses involved in the study—which equates to 23 out of the 27 studied—were able to fully return to work after undergoing the surgical operation and subsequent rehabilitation.
• This includes 3 out of the 4 horses suffering from forelimb lesions, and 20 out of the 23 horses with hind limb lesions.
• Ultrasonographic evidence further pointed to the healing of the suspensory ligament lesions in all the treated horses.

Conclusions

• The results of this research suggest that the use of desmoplasty combined with a fasciotomy is a viable treatment option for horses suffering from proximal suspensory desmitis that hasn’t responded to stall rest.
• This conclusion is based on the majority of horses being able to return to work post-surgery and rehabilitation, as well as the observational evidence pointing towards the healing of the ligament lesions.