Prevalence and response to surgical treatment of lateral palmar intercarpal ligament avulsion in horses: 37 cases (1990-2001).

This study investigates the lateral palmar intercarpal ligament (LPICL) avulsion in horses, its correlation with lameness, its prevalence, and the response to surgical removal of the avulsion fragment. Findings indicate that discrete LPICL avulsion can be a cause of lameness in horses, and arthroscopic debridement may be a preferred treatment technique.

Research Objective

The objective of the study was to understand the avulsion of the lateral palmar intercarpal ligament in horses, its correlation with lameness, its prevalence in a hospital population, and evaluate the effectiveness of surgical removal of the avulsion fragment as a treatment method.

Methodology

• The study was conducted in a retrospective manner, using records of 37 horses that had faced LPICL avulsion.
• The researchers studied medical records and radiographs of these horses, along with follow-up data obtained from race records and owners through telephone surveys.
• The study period ranged from March 1, 1990, to December 31, 2001.

Study Findings

• Out of 6,418 horses evaluated for forelimb lameness, only 0.5% (37) displayed avulsion of the LPICL.
• All of the horses with LPICL avulsion had a distinctive fragment associated with avulsion of the ligament origin from the ulnar carpal bone.
• Out of 26 horses that underwent arthroscopic fragment removal, 20 (almost 91%) returned to work. The figures were less favorable for horses not treated surgically, with only 5 out of 9 returning to work. The likelihood of horses treated surgically returning to work was eight times higher compared to those not treated surgically.
• For 9 of the 12 horses that had LPICL avulsion without concurrent osteochondral fragmentation in the same or additional joints, 8 managed to return to athletic work.

Conclusions

• LPICL avulsion can be a cause of lameness in horses and may require surgical intervention for effective treatment.
• Arthroscopic debridement appears to be the treatment of choice for LPICL avulsion, with the prognosis for a return to work being quite good for horses treated in this manner.