Rupture of the lateral lobe of the biceps brachii tendon in an Arabian horse.

The study describes a case of a torn biceps brachii tendon in an Arabian horse. Following diagnosis via ultrasonography and bursoscopic examination, this is documented as the only known instance of such a condition in a horse.

Introduction

• The article reports the diagnosis of a rupture in the lateral lobe of the proximal tendon of the biceps brachii muscle in an Arabian horse – an uncommon occurrence in the equine world.

Diagnosis Technique

• The symptoms were first examined clinically, which helped identify the general issue and primary location of the injury.
• However, to accurately identify and visually examine the extent of the injury, ultrasonography was employed as the preferred method.
• Ultrasonography offers a non-invasive means to visualize and diagnose internal muscular and skeletal injuries, and in this case, effectively confirmed the rupture of the lateral lobe of the biceps brachii tendon in the horse.

Verification and Treatment

• Beyond relying on ultrasonography, the diagnosis was further confirmed using bursoscopic examination of the horse’s intertubercular bursa – a sac filled with lubricating fluid, located between tissues such as bone, muscle, tendons, and skin, which decreases rubbing, friction, and irritation.
• This examination method was also crucial for the subsequent steps in treatment, namely the debridement (removal of damaged tissue or foreign objects from a wound) and lavage (cleansing or irrigation of a body cavity or wound) of the bursa.

Significance

• To the researchers’ knowledge, this is the sole documented case of this specific type of tendon rupture in horses, demonstrating the potential for new understandings in equine muscular injuries.
• As such, it contributes to animal medicine by providing a diagnostic and treatment blueprint for veterinarians in future similar cases.