Patellar instability following experimental medial patellar desmotomy in horses.

This research explores the effects of medial patellar desmotomy (MPD), a surgical procedure involving cutting the ligament of the kneecap in horses, and its contribution to kneecap instability. The study finds that not only does MPD result in instability, it also leads to changes detectable by radiographic imaging, and a period of rest post-surgery does not prevent the resulting damages.

Objective of the Study

• The research aimed to evaluate the effects of medial patellar desmotomy combined with a period of rest on seemingly normal joints in a horse’s knee. It also sought to identify patellar instability through radiographic examination.

Method of Research

• The research was conducted using a controlled study design. Medial patellar desmotomy was performed on the right hind limb of the test subjects and the horses were given rest for 120 days.
• Both hind limbs were radiographed before the surgery and on days 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 after MPD through different viewing angles.
• As part of the radiographic analysis, the angles between various points of the knee joint and the distance between the cortex of the femur and the border of the patella were evaluated.

Findings of the Study

• The study found an increase in the angle between the surface of the kneecap and the surface of the femur after the operation. Additionally, the kneecap showed a lateral deviation, and an enthesophyte (abnormal bone growth) was observed.
• These findings demonstrate that medial patellar desmotomy leads to instability of the kneecap, a fact that is confirmable through radiographic changes.
• The study also found that postsurgical patellar instability leads to lesions and that a rest period of 120 days does not prevent this damage.

Implications of the Research

• This research could influence how veterinaries approach and manage the treatment of horses’ kneecap issues. Recognizing that the MPD procedure contributes to instability and that resting alone does not prevent related damages could help in devising more effective treatment plans.
• The research provides valuable insights into the physiological changes that occur in the horse’s knee following the surgical procedure, contributing to broader knowledge and better understanding in the field of equine health.