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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Outcome of medical treatment for horses with foot pain: 56 c...
Equine veterinary journal2010; 42(8); 680-685; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00081.x

Outcome of medical treatment for horses with foot pain: 56 cases.

Abstract: Currently, there are limited data regarding the long-term outcome of horses with foot pain treated with corrective shoeing, rest and rehabilitation, and intrasynovial anti-inflammatory medication to target lesions detected with MRI. Objective: To report the long-term (≥12 months) outcome of horses with foot lesions following medical therapy. Objective: 1) There is no association between clinical parameters considered and a poor response to therapy. 2) Horses with a deep digital flexor tendinopathy are less likely to respond to medical therapy than horses without a deep digital flexor tendinopathy. Methods: The medical records of horses with foot pain subjected to MRI examination and medical therapy (2005-2007) were evaluated retrospectively. Data collected included history, signalment, occupation, duration and severity of lameness at the time of MRI, radiological and MRI abnormalities. Number of treatments, complications and long-term response to treatment were obtained by detailed telephone questionnaires. Association between clinical and MRI findings and long-term lameness were investigated. Results: Frequent abnormal structures included the navicular bone, the deep digital flexor tendon, the navicular bursa and the distal interphalangeal joint. Thirty-four of 56 horses (60.7%) failed to return to previous level of exercise due to persistent or recurrent lameness or owners' decision to decrease the horse's athletic level; however, 11 horses (32.3%) were being used for light riding. Prognosis for horses with concurrent deep digital flexor tendon, navicular bone and navicular bursa lesions was worse than horses with individual lesions. Deep digital flexor tendinopathy was strongly associated with persistent or recurrent lameness. Conclusions: Horses with multiple foot lesions managed with conservative therapy have a guarded prognosis for long-term soundness. Deep digital flexor tendinopathies negatively influence prognosis.
© 2010 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2010-08-19 PubMed ID: 21039796DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00081.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This study investigates the long-term outcomes for horses suffering from foot pain and treated through medical methods, such as corrective shoeing, rest, rehabilitation, and anti-inflammatory medication. The results indicated that horses with multiple foot lesions or a deep digital flexor tendinopathy had a worse prognosis.

Research Aim

  • The aim of the research was to gauge the long-term outcomes (≥12 months) of medically treating horses suffering from foot pain. The researchers primarily investigated if there were links between clinical parameters and a poor response to therapy, and how a deep digital flexor tendinopathy affects a horse’s response to medical treatment.

Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a retrospective examination of the medical records of horses that had received MRI examinations and medical treatment for foot pain between 2005-2007.
  • This included the collection of data such as their medical history, gender, age, occupation, duration and severity of lameness at the time of the MRI, and any radiological and MRI anomalies.
  • The research also collected data on the number of treatments each horse received, any complications that arose, and their long-term response to treatment via detailed telephone questionnaires.
  • The researchers then explored any associations between clinical and MRI findings and long-term lameness.

Results

  • The most abnormally affected structures in the horses were the navicular bone, the deep digital flexor tendon, the navicular bursa, and the distal interphalangeal joint.
  • Out of the 56 horses, 34 (60.7%) were unable to return to their previous level of exercise due to ongoing or repeated lameness, or the owners’ decision to reduce the horse’s athletic level. However, 11 horses (32.3%) were being used for light riding.
  • The prognosis for horses with simultaneous deep digital flexor tendon, navicular bone, and navicular bursa lesions was worse than those just having individual lesions.
  • Deep digital flexor tendinopathy was strongly linked with ongoing or repeated lameness.

Conclusions

  • The research concludes that horses with multiple foot lesions that are managed with conservative therapy are likely to have a poor long-term prognosis for soundness.
  • The presence of deep digital flexor tendinopathy also negatively impacts the prognosis.

Cite This Article

APA
Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD, White Ii NA, Werpy NM. (2010). Outcome of medical treatment for horses with foot pain: 56 cases. Equine Vet J, 42(8), 680-685. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00081.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 42
Issue: 8
Pages: 680-685

Researcher Affiliations

Gutierrez-Nibeyro, S D
  • Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic, VA, USA. sgn@illinois.edu
White Ii, N A
    Werpy, N M

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
      • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
      • Foot Diseases / pathology
      • Foot Diseases / therapy
      • Foot Diseases / veterinary
      • Horse Diseases / therapy
      • Horses
      • Pain / veterinary
      • Pain Management
      • Treatment Outcome
      • Triamcinolone / administration & dosage
      • Triamcinolone / therapeutic use

      Citations

      This article has been cited 5 times.
      1. Sanigavatee K, Poochipakorn C, Charoenchanikran P, Joongpan W, Chanda M. Z-Bar Shoeing Demonstrates Potential for Long-Term Foot Pain Management during an Exercise Training Regimen in a Show Jumping Pony with Uniaxial Palmar Pain.. Case Rep Vet Med 2022;2022:8468403.
        doi: 10.1155/2022/8468403pubmed: 35465448google scholar: lookup
      2. Quam VG, Altmann NN, Brokken MT, Durgam SS. Zonal characterization and differential trilineage potentials of equine intrasynovial deep digital flexor tendon-derived cells.. BMC Vet Res 2021 Apr 1;17(1):138.
        doi: 10.1186/s12917-021-02793-1pubmed: 33794882google scholar: lookup
      3. Sullivan SN, Altmann NN, Brokken MT, Durgam SS. In vitro Effects of Methylprednisolone Acetate on Equine Deep Digital Flexor Tendon-Derived Cells.. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:486.
        doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00486pubmed: 32851046google scholar: lookup
      4. Warnock WR, Marsh CA, Hand DR. Outcome of arthroscopic debridement of cartilage injury in the equine distal interphalangeal joint.. Can Vet J 2019 Jul;60(7):731-736.
        pubmed: 31281190
      5. White NA 2nd, Barrett JG. Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Treatment of Equine Distal Interphalangeal Joint Collateral Ligaments: 2009-2014.. Front Vet Sci 2016;3:73.
        doi: 10.3389/fvets.2016.00073pubmed: 27656645google scholar: lookup
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