FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Radiol Ultrasound / Standing MRI lesions of the distal interphalangeal joint and...
Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association2020; 61(3); 336-345; doi: 10.1111/vru.12855

Standing MRI lesions of the distal interphalangeal joint and podotrochlear apparatus occur with a high frequency in warmblood horses.

Abstract: Foot pain is a common presenting complaint in Warmblood horses. The aim of this retrospective, cross-sectional study was to determine the spectrum of foot lesions detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in Warmblood horses used for dressage, jumping, and eventing. The medical records of 550 Warmblood horses with foot pain that were scanned using standing MRI were reviewed and the following data were recorded: signalment, occupation, lameness, diagnostic analgesia, imaging results, treatments, and follow-up assessments. Associations between standing MRI lesions and chronic lameness following treatment were tested. Abnormalities of the navicular bone (409 horses, 74%), distal interphalangeal joint (362 horses, 65%), and deep digital flexor (DDF) tendon (260 horses, 47%) occurred with the highest frequency. The following abnormalities were significantly associated (P < .05) with chronic lameness following conservative therapy: moderate to severe MRI lesions in the trabecular bone of the navicular bone, mild or severe erosions of the flexor surface of the navicular bone, moderate sagittal/parasagittal DDF tendinopathies, and moderate collateral sesamoidean desmopathies. Also, identification of concurrent lesions of the DDF tendon, navicular bone, navicular bursa, and distal sesamoidean impar ligament was associated with chronic lameness after conservative therapy. Development of effective treatment options for foot lesions that respond poorly to conservative therapy is necessary.
© 2020 American College of Veterinary Radiology.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2020-03-11 PubMed ID: 32162431DOI: 10.1111/vru.12855Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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.

This study looks at the origin of foot pain in Warmblood horses bred for dressage, jumping, and eventing, by reviewing the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results of 550 horses. It found that foot lesions, especially in the navicular bone, distal interphalangeal joint, and deep digital flexor tendon, were common and often associated with chronic lameness. The research suggests the need for improved treatment options that can effectively address foot lesions unresponsive to conservative therapy.

Research Methodology

  • The method adopted for this study was a retrospective, cross-sectional examination.
  • Researchers used existing medical records of 550 Warmblood horses that previously had foot pain and undergone MRI scans.
  • The researchers collated information regarding the horses’ specifications, their roles, lameness, diagnostic analgesia, imaging results, treatments, and follow-ups.

Findings and Analysis

  • Most of the horses examined had abnormalities in their navicular bone (74%), distal interphalangeal joint (65%), and deep digital flexor (DDF) tendon (47%).
  • These foot lesions were prevalent among horses that often displayed chronic lameness after going through conservative therapies.
  • The presence of moderate to severe lesions in the trabecular bone of the navicular bone, mild or severe erosions of the flexor surface of the navicular bone, moderate sagittal/parasagittal DDF tendinopathies, and moderate collateral sesamoidean desmopathies, were statistically significant factors associated with chronic lameness after conservative treatment.
  • Chronic lameness was also observed in cases where concurrent lesions of the DDF tendon, navicular bone, navicular bursa, and distal sesamoidean impar ligament were present.

Implications and Future Steps

  • The occurrence of these foot lesions, particularly in the navicular bone and distal interphalangeal joint, and their connection to chronic lameness indicates an area of equine health in need of more effective treatment solutions.
  • Conservative therapy was often found to be ineffective in treating these issues, leading to the chronic lameness observed in many of the horses.
  • Future research and development efforts must focus on creating treatments that deal more successfully with these foot pain and related lameness issues in Warmblood horses used for dressage, jumping, and eventing.

Cite This Article

APA
Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD, Werpy NM, Gold SJ, Olguin S, Schaeffer DJ. (2020). Standing MRI lesions of the distal interphalangeal joint and podotrochlear apparatus occur with a high frequency in warmblood horses. Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 61(3), 336-345. https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.12855

Publication

Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association
ISSN: 1740-8261
NlmUniqueID: 9209635
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 61
Issue: 3
Pages: 336-345

Researcher Affiliations

Gutierrez-Nibeyro, Santiago D
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois.
Werpy, Natasha M
  • Equine Diagnostic Imaging, Inc., Archer, Florida.
Gold, Sarah J
  • B.W. Furlong & Associates, Oldwick, New Jersey.
Olguin, Silvia
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, University of La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Schaeffer, David J
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Bursa, Synovial
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Foot Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Foot Diseases / veterinary
  • Forelimb / diagnostic imaging
  • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Horses
  • Joint Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Joint Diseases / pathology
  • Joint Diseases / veterinary
  • Ligaments / diagnostic imaging
  • Ligaments / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
  • Pain / veterinary
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tarsal Bones / diagnostic imaging
  • Tarsal Bones / pathology
  • Tendons / diagnostic imaging
  • Tendons / pathology

References

This article includes 36 references
  1. Egenvall A, Bonnett B, Wattle O. Veterinary-care events and costs over a 5-year follow-up period for warm blooded riding horses with or without previously recorded locomotor problems in Sweden. Prev Vet Med 2008;83:130-143.
  2. Mitchell RD, Edwards III RB, Makkreel LD. Standing MRI lesions identified in jumping and dressage horses with lameness isolated to the foot. In: Proceedings 52th Annual Meeting of American Association of Equine Practitioners, San Antonio, TX 2006:422-426.
  3. Dyson SJ, Murray R, Schramme MC. Magnetic resonance imaging of the equine foot: 15 horses. Equine Vet J 2003;35:18-26.
  4. Dyson SJ, Murray R. Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of 264 horses with foot pain: The podotrochlear apparatus, deep digital flexor tendon and collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal joint. Equine Vet J 2007;39:340-343.
  5. Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD, Werpy NM, White II NA. Standing low-field magnetic resonance imaging in horses with chronic foot pain. Aust Vet J 2012;90:75-83.
  6. Bell CD, Howard RD, Taylor DS. Outcomes of podotrochlear (navicular) bursa injections for signs of foot pain in horses evaluated via magnetic resonance imaging: 23 cases (2005-2007). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2009;234:920-925.
  7. Sampson SN, Schneider RK, Gavin PR. Magnetic resonance imaging findings in horses with recent onset of navicular syndrome but without radiographic abnormalities. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2009;50:339-346.
  8. Dyson SJ, Murray R, Schramme MC. Lameness associated with foot pain: Results of magnetic resonance imaging in 199 horses (January 2001-December 2003) and response to treatment. Equine Vet J 2005;37:113-121.
  9. Parkes R, Newton R, Dyson S. Is there an association between clinical features, response to diagnostic analgesia and radiological findings in horses with a magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis of navicular disease or other injuries of the podotrochlear apparatus?. Vet J 2015;204:40-46.
  10. Marsh CA, Schneider RK, Sampson SN. Response to injection of the navicular bursa with corticosteroid and hyaluronan following high-field magnetic resonance imaging in horses with signs of navicular syndrome: 101 cases (2000-2008). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2012;241:1353-1364.
  11. Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD, Werpy NM, White II NA. Outcome of palmar/plantar digital neurectomy in horses with foot pain evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging: 50 cases (2005-2011). Equine Vet J 2015;47:160-164.
  12. Dakin SG, Dyson SJ, Murray RC. Osseous abnormalities associated with collateral desmopathy of the distal interphalangeal joint. Part 2: treatment and outcome. Equine Vet J 2009;41:794-799.
  13. Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD, White II NA, Werpy NM. Outcome of medical treatment for horses with foot pain: 56 cases. Equine Vet J 2010;42:680-685.
  14. Cillan-Garcia E, Milner PI, Talbot A. Deep digital flexor tendon injury within the hoof capsule; does lesion type or location predict prognosis?. Vet Rec 2013;173:70-75.
  15. Lutter JD, Schneider RK, Sampson SN. Medical treatment of horses with deep digital flexor tendon injuries diagnosed with high-field-strength magnetic resonance imaging: 118 cases (2000-2010). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2015;247:1309-1318.
  16. Kester W. Definition and classification of lameness. Guide for Veterinary Services and Judging Veterinary Events 4th ed. Lexington, KY: American Association of Equine Practitioners; 1991.
  17. Vanel M, Olive J, Gold SJ. Clinical significance and prognosis of deep digital flexor tendinopathy assessed over time using MRI. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2012;53:621-627.
  18. Parzen M, Lipsitz S, Ibrahim J. An estimate of the odds ratio that always exists. J Comput Graph Stat 2002;11:420-436.
  19. Kristiansen KK, Kold SE. Multivariable analysis of factors influencing outcome of 2 treatment protocols in 128 cases of horses responding positively to intra-articular analgesia of the distal interphalangeal joint. Equine Vet J 2007;39:150-156.
  20. Kaneps AJ. Diseases of the foot. Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery In: Hinchcliff KW, Kaneps AJ, Geor RJ, eds. 2nd ed. St. Louis, MO: Saunders; 2014:253-274.
  21. Sherlock CE, Kinns J, Mair TS. Evaluation of foot pain in the standing horse by magnetic resonance imaging. Vet Rec 2007;161:739-744.
  22. Dyson S, Murray R. Magnetic resonance imaging of the equine foot. Clin Tech Equine Pract 2007;6:46-61.
  23. Olive J. Distal interphalangeal articular cartilage assessment using low-field magnetic resonance imaging. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2010;51:259-266.
  24. Smith MA, Dyson SJ, Murray RC. Reliability of high- and low-field magnetic resonance imaging systems for detection of cartilage and bone lesions in the equine cadaver fetlock. Equine Vet J 2012;44:684-691.
  25. Sampson SN, Schneider RK, Gavin PR. Magnetic resonance imaging findings in horses with recent and chronic bilateral forelimb lameness diagnosed as navicular syndrome. In: Proceedings of the 54th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. 2008:419-434.
  26. Busoni V, Heimann M, Trenteseaux J. Magnetic resonance imaging findings in the equine deep digital flexor tendon and distal sesamoid bone in advanced navicular disease-an ex vivo study. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2005;46:279-286.
  27. Blunden A, Murray R, Dyson S. Lesions of the deep digital flexor tendon in the digit: A correlative MRI and post-mortem study in control and lame horses. Equine Vet J 2009;41:25-33.
  28. Murray RC, Blunden TS, Schramme MC. How does magnetic resonance imaging represent histologic findings in the equine digit?. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2006;47:17-31.
  29. Dyson S, Blunden T, Murray R. Comparison between magnetic resonance imaging and histological findings in the navicular bone of horses with foot pain. Equine Vet J 2012;44:692-698.
  30. Sherlock C, Mair T, Blunden T. Deep erosions of the palmar aspect of the navicular bone diagnosed by standing magnetic resonance imaging. Equine Vet J 2008;40:684-692.
  31. Murray RC, Schramme MC, Dyson SJ. Magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of the foot in horses with palmar foot pain and control horses. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2006;47:1-16.
  32. Werpy NM. Recheck magnetic resonance imaging examinations for evaluation of musculoskeletal injury. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2012;28:659-680.
  33. Sampson SN, Schneider RK, Gavin PR. Evaluation of an arthroscopic approach for transection of the equine collateral sesamoidean ligament. Vet Surg 2010;39:1011-1020.
  34. Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD, White II NA, Werpy NM. Magnetic resonance imaging findings of desmopathy of the collateral ligaments of the equine distal interphalangeal joint. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2009;50:21-31.
  35. Olive J, Mair TS, Charles B. Use of standing low-field magnetic resonance imaging to diagnose middle phalanx bone marrow lesions in horses. Equine Vet Educ 2009;21:116-123.
  36. Werpy NM. Diagnosis of middle phalanx bone marrow lesions in horses using magnetic resonance imaging and identification of phase effect cancellation for proper image interpretation. Equine Vet Educ 2009;21:125-130.

Citations

This article has been cited 7 times.
  1. Boado A, Pollard D, Lopez-Sanroman FJ, Dyson S. Orthopaedic Injuries in 272 Dressage Horses: A Retrospective Study. Animals (Basel) 2025 Oct 14;15(20).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15202972pubmed: 41153899google scholar: lookup
  2. Scharf A, Acutt E, Bills K, Werpy N. Magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosing and managing deep digital flexor tendinopathy in equine athletes: Insights, advances and future directions. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1183-1203.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14508pubmed: 40314097google scholar: lookup
  3. Turek B, Pawlikowski M, Jankowski K, Borowska M, Skierbiszewska K, Jasiński T, Domino M. Selection of density standard and X-ray tube settings for computed digital absorptiometry in horses using the k-means clustering algorithm. BMC Vet Res 2025 Mar 13;21(1):165.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-04591-5pubmed: 40082938google scholar: lookup
  4. McParland TJ, Horne CR, Robertson JB, Schnabel LV, Nelson NC. Alterations to the synovial invaginations of the navicular bone are associated with pathology of both the navicular apparatus and distal interphalangeal joint when evaluated using high field MRI. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2023 Jan;64(1):9-17.
    doi: 10.1111/vru.13140pubmed: 35969227google scholar: lookup
  5. Madsen LM, Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD, Stewart MC, McCoy AM, Schaeffer DJ. Kinetic Analysis in Horses With Deep Digital Flexor Tendinopathy Within the Digit Diagnosed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:893026.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.893026pubmed: 35711793google scholar: lookup
  6. Kozłowska N, Wierzbicka M, Jasiński T, Domino M. Advances in the Diagnosis of Equine Respiratory Diseases: A Review of Novel Imaging and Functional Techniques. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 4;12(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12030381pubmed: 35158704google scholar: lookup
  7. Quam VG, Altmann NN, Brokken MT, Durgam SS. Zonal characterization and differential trilineage potentials of equine intrasynovial deep digital flexor tendon-derived cells. BMC Vet Res 2021 Apr 1;17(1):138.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-021-02793-1pubmed: 33794882google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.