Proximal suspensory desmitis in the hindlimb: 42 cases.
Abstract: Proximal suspensory desmitis of the hindlimb was diagnosed using local analgesic techniques and ultrasonography in 42 horses. Subtarsal analgesia resulted in substantial improvement in lameness in 36 of 41 horses in which local analgesic techniques were used. In the remaining five horses lameness was improved by perineural analgesia of the tibial nerve (three) or the tibial and fibular nerves. Intra-articular analgesia of the tarso-metatarsal joint produced a similar degree of improvement in two of 24 horses in which lameness had been improved by subtarsal analgesia. Ultrasonographic abnormalities of the proximal one third of the suspensory ligament of the lame limb only were detected in 36 of the 37 unilaterally lame horses. Abnormalities were detected in both suspensory ligaments in the five bilaterally lame horses and in one horse with unilateral lameness. Radiographic abnormalities of the proximal aspect of the third metatarsal bone of the lame or lamer limb were detected in 23 horses. Four horses have been in full work for more than 1 year without recurrent lameness. Two other horses resumed full work but had lameness due to another cause. Six horses are in light work despite mild lameness. Sixteen horses have been retired or humanely destroyed due to persistent or recurrent lameness.
Publication Date: 1994-05-01 PubMed ID: 8044668DOI: 10.1016/S0007-1935(05)80008-9Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Analgesia
- Case Reports
- Clinical Findings
- Clinical Pathology
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Treatment
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Intra-Articular Injection
- Lameness
- Local Anaesthesia
- Metatarsal Bones
- Musculoskeletal System
- Radiology
- Suspensory Ligament
- Tarsal Joint
- Ultrasound
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
Summary
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This research article explores the diagnosis and outcomes of horses identified with proximal suspensory desmitis in their hindlimbs, examining multiple techniques for diagnosis and noting the presence of lameness in several affected horses.
Objective of the Study
- The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate the diagnosis methods of proximal suspensory desmitis, a common equine lameness condition, in the hindlimb of 42 horses.
Methods
- Suspensory desmitis was detected in these horses using local analgesic techniques and ultrasonography—a medical imaging technique.
- Local analgesic techniques enhanced lameness detection in a majority of the horses.
- For the remaining five horses, tibial nerve or the combined tibial and fibular nerves perineural analgesia revealed the lameness.
- Furthermore, to evaluate the response to analgesics, intra-articular analgesia was also used in few cases. This method produced comparable improvement in a subset of horses.
Findings
- Ultrasonographic study revealed abnormalities in the proximal one-third of the suspensory ligament of the lame limb.
- This abnormality was detected in the majority of the unilaterally lame horses, both ligaments in the bilaterally lame horses, and one horse with unilateral lameness.
- Additionally, radiographic examination revealed abnormalities in the proximal aspect of the third metatarsal bone in more than half of the evaluated horses.
Outcome
- Follow-up of these cases showed variable outcomes ranging from return to full work without recurrent lameness to retirement or euthanasia due to persistent or recurrent lameness. These outcomes hinged on the severity of the lameness, the impact of the lameness on the horse’s work capacity, and the response to treatment.
Cite This Article
APA
Dyson S.
(1994).
Proximal suspensory desmitis in the hindlimb: 42 cases.
Br Vet J, 150(3), 279-291.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0007-1935(05)80008-9 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Clinical Unit, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Hindlimb
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Inflammation / diagnosis
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
- Ligaments / diagnostic imaging
- Male
- Ultrasonography
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