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Veterinary surgery : VS2020; 49(5); 840-851; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13441

Physiologic effects of long-term immobilization of the equine distal limb.

Abstract: To describe the effects of distal limb immobilization and remobilization in the equine metacarpophalangeal joint. Methods: Randomized, prospective experimental study. Methods: Eight healthy, skeletally mature horses. Methods: One forelimb of each horse was immobilized in a fiberglass cast for 8 weeks; this was followed by 12 weeks of a treadmill-based training program after the cast had been removed. Clinical examinations, radiography, computed tomography (CT), nuclear scintigraphy, MRI, and histomorphometry were used to examine the third metacarpal (MC3), proximal phalanx, proximal sesamoid bones, and associated soft tissues in each horse. Serum and synovial fluid were collected for biomarker analyses. Results: Distal limb immobilization resulted in persistent lameness (P < .001), effusion (P = .002), and a decreased range of motion (P = .012) as well as radiographically visible fragments (P = .036) in the cast forelimb. Bone density was decreased (P < .001) in MC3 according to CT, and trabecular bone fluid was increased (P < .001) according to MRI in the cast forelimb. The cast forelimbs had a change (P = .009) in the appearance of the deep digital flexor tendon according to MRI immediately after removal of the cast. Numerous clinical, radiographic, CT, and MR abnormalities were visible at the end of the study period. Conclusions: Eights weeks of cast immobilization induced changes in bone, cartilage, and periarticular soft tissues that were not reversed after 12 weeks of remobilization. Conclusions: Cast application should be used judiciously in horses with musculoskeletal injuries, balancing appropriate stabilization with potential morbidity secondary to cast placement.
© 2020 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2020-05-15 PubMed ID: 32412662DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13441Google 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.

The research studies the impact of immobilization and remobilization on a horse’s limb. It discovered that putting a horse’s limb in a cast for eight weeks resulted in changes in bone density, bone fluid, and other related tissues, which were not fully reversed after twelve weeks of removement.

Methodology

  • This study followed a randomized, prospective experimental design involving eight healthy, fully-grown horses.
  • One of each horse’s forelimbs was immobilized in a fiberglass cast for a period of 8 weeks. Subsequently, the cast was removed, and the horses underwent a treadmill-based training program for 12 weeks.
  • The researchers used a variety of diagnostic methods to examine the third metacarpal (MC3), proximal phalanx, proximal sesamoid bones, and associated soft tissues of each horse. These methods included physical examinations, radiography, computed tomography (CT), nuclear scintigraphy, MRI, and histomorphometry.
  • Samples of serum and synovial fluid were collected for analysis of biometric markers.

Findings

  • Immobility of the limb led to various negative outcomes, including the horse continuing to experience lameness, effusion (swelling), and a decreased range of motion. Additionally, fragments visible via radiography emerged in the immobilized limb.
  • Dist scan revealed that bone density of MC3 had decreased in the cast forelimb, while an MRI demonstrated an increase in trabecular bone fluid in the same area.
  • Upon cast removal, MRI scans showed changes in the appearance of the deep digital flexor tendon of the cast forelimbs.
  • Even at the end of the study, clinical, radiographic, CT, and MR abnormalities were seen in the cast limbs.

Conclusions

  • The study concluded that immobilizing a horse’s limb for eight weeks resulted in changes to the bone, cartilage, and periarticular soft tissues that were not completely reversed after twelve weeks of remobilization.
  • The findings suggest that the use of a cast should be carefully considered for treating horses with musculoskeletal injuries. The use of immobilization through casting needs to strike a balance between providing necessary stabilization for the injury, and the potential for additional problems resulting from the placement of the cast.

Cite This Article

APA
Stewart HL, Werpy NM, McIlwraith CW, Kawcak CE. (2020). Physiologic effects of long-term immobilization of the equine distal limb. Vet Surg, 49(5), 840-851. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13441

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 49
Issue: 5
Pages: 840-851

Researcher Affiliations

Stewart, Holly L
  • Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
Werpy, Natasha M
  • Ocala Equine Hospital, Ocala, Florida, USA.
McIlwraith, C Wayne
  • Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
Kawcak, Christopher E
  • Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Carpometacarpal Joints / physiology
  • Female
  • Forelimb / physiology
  • Horses / physiology
  • Immobilization / veterinary
  • Male
  • Metacarpal Bones / physiology
  • Sesamoid Bones / physiology
  • Toe Phalanges / physiology

Grant Funding

  • CEVA Sante Animale, Liborne, France

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Micheau L, Audigié F, Moiroud C, Jacquet S. New Model of Disuse-Induced Bone Density Loss in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2025 Oct 29;15(21).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15213137pubmed: 41227467google scholar: lookup
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