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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Retrospective analysis of oblique and straight distal sesamo...
Equine veterinary journal2021; 54(2); 312-322; doi: 10.1111/evj.13438

Retrospective analysis of oblique and straight distal sesamoidean ligament desmitis in 52 horses.

Abstract: Injuries to the oblique (ODSL) or straight (SDSL) distal sesamoidean ligaments are a recognised cause of distal limb lameness in the horse. However, there are only limited publications addressing common diagnostic features and prognosis. Objective: (a) Report findings on ultrasonography and standing low-field magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) in horses with ODSL or SDSL injury; (b) Identify clinical variables associated with lesion type and (c) Identify factors associated with return to soundness in horses with ODSL or SDSL injury. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Horses with a primary diagnosis of ODSL or SDSL injury confirmed with a combination of diagnostic analgesia and detection of a lesion on imaging (ultrasonographic ± advanced imaging) were included. Return to soundness and performance follow-up data were obtained. Results: Fifty-one horses were included. SDSL injuries were more common in the forelimb (13/21, 62%), while ODSL injuries had equal frequency in fore- (15/30, 50%) and hindlimbs (15/30, 50%). ODSL injuries were more likely than SDSL injuries to affect the proximal third of the ligament (OR =13; 95% CI 2.3-74.3; p = 0.004) and often presented with periligamentar swelling (20/30;67%) and focal pain (22/28;79%). Lesions were frequently detected using ultrasonography (35/42;83%) and sMRI examination (18/25;72%). Only 27/49 cases (55%) returned to soundness, with only 15/49 (31%) returning to intended use. There were no significant associations between outcome and clinical features or treatment. Conclusions: There was no comparative "gold standard" to validate lesions such as high-field MRI or histopathology. Conclusions: In contrast to previous studies, ODSL and SDSL injuries were readily identified ultrasonographically using appropriate views, and with sMRI. Given the limited availability, cost and general anaesthetic risks associated with high-field MRI, more focus should be placed on optimising the ultrasonographic examination. Owners of affected horses should be informed of the guarded prognosis for return to full use.
© 2021 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2021-03-11 PubMed ID: 33567104DOI: 10.1111/evj.13438Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 focuses on the causes and prognosis of oblique and straight distal sesamoidean ligament injuries in horses. It explores the findings from ultrasonography and standing low-field magnetic resonance imaging on these injuries, identifies clinical variables associated with lesion types and factors associated with return to health.

About the Research Study

  • This research is a retrospective case study conducted on horses experiencing oblique (ODSL) or straight (SDSL) distal sesamoidean ligaments injury.
  • The diagnosis was based on a combination of diagnostic analgesia and detection of a lesion on imaging methods like ultrasonography and/or advanced imaging.

Findings from Ultrasonography and Imaging

  • ODSL injuries were most likely to affect the proximal third of the ligament, often accompanied by periligamentar swelling and focal pain.
  • In comparison, SDSL injuries were found to be more common in the forelimb.
  • This research further suggested that lesions can be frequently detected using ultrasonography (in 83% cases) and standing low-field magnetic resonance imaging (in 72% cases).

Factors Associated with Return to Soundness

  • The study reported that only 55% of the cases returned to soundness, and merely 31% could return to their intended use.
  • The research found no significant associations between treatment outcomes and the discussed clinical features or treatment methods.

Conclusions

  • The study indicates that there was no comparative “gold standard” to validate lesions such as high-field MRI or histopathology.
  • Despite prior studies, it found that ODSL and SDSL injuries can be easily identified using ultrasonography and standing low-field MRI.
  • Considering the limited availability and higher costs associated with high-field MRI, researchers suggest a greater emphasis on enhancing the ultrasonographic examination.
  • They also recommend that horse owners should be informed about the guarded prognosis for their horses to return to full utility.

Cite This Article

APA
Hawkins A, O'Leary L, Bolt D, Fiske-Jackson A, Berner D, Smith R. (2021). Retrospective analysis of oblique and straight distal sesamoidean ligament desmitis in 52 horses. Equine Vet J, 54(2), 312-322. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13438

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 54
Issue: 2
Pages: 312-322

Researcher Affiliations

Hawkins, Alex
  • Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK.
O'Leary, Lauren
  • Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK.
Bolt, David
  • Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK.
Fiske-Jackson, Andrew
  • Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK.
Berner, Dagmar
  • Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK.
Smith, Roger
  • Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Horses
  • Joint Diseases / veterinary
  • Lameness, Animal / diagnostic imaging
  • Ligaments / diagnostic imaging
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
  • Retrospective Studies

References

This article includes 18 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Amari M, Brioschi FA, Auletta L, Ravasio G. Ultrasound-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation and Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment for Chronic Lameness Due to Distal Forelimb Disease in Horses: A Pilot Study. Animals (Basel) 2025 Aug 10;15(16).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15162341pubmed: 40867669google scholar: lookup
  2. Peeters MWJ, Ott S, van Veggel E, Berner D, Perrier M. Desmitis of the palmar or plantar ligaments of the proximal interphalangeal joint: A descriptive case series. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1347-1356.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14547pubmed: 40506840google scholar: lookup
  3. Schiavo S, Beccati F, Pokora R, Lin ST, Milmine RC, Bak L, Peter VG, Murray RC. Lesion Distribution in the Metacarpophalangeal and Metatarsophalangeal Region of 341 Horses Using Standing Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 25;14(13).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14131866pubmed: 38997978google scholar: lookup
  4. Pfau T, Clark KS, Bolt DM, Lai JS, Perrier M, Rhodes JB, Smith RK, Fiske-Jackson A. Changes in Head and Pelvic Movement Symmetry after Diagnostic Anaesthesia: Interactions between Subjective Judgement Categories and Commonly Applied Blocks. Animals (Basel) 2023 Dec 6;13(24).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13243769pubmed: 38136806google scholar: lookup
  5. Pfau T, Bolt DM, Fiske-Jackson A, Gerdes C, Hoenecke K, Lynch L, Perrier M, Smith RKW. Linear Discriminant Analysis for Investigating Differences in Upper Body Movement Symmetry in Horses before/after Diagnostic Analgesia in Relation to Expert Judgement. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 17;12(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12060762pubmed: 35327159google scholar: lookup
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