Stringhalt secondary to trauma to the dorsoproximal region of the metatarsus in horses: 10 cases (1986-1991).

This research article investigates the development of stringhalt, a neuromuscular disorder in horses, following trauma to the dorsal metatarsus, examining the efficacy of various treatments including exercise regimes and surgical intervention.

Research Overview

The researchers reviewed medical records of 10 horses that developed stringhalt after suffering trauma to their dorsal metatarsus. The onset of stringhalt varied, with six horses showing symptoms within three months post-injury, three presenting with stringhalt later than three months, while the onset data was unknown for one horse.

• The study aimed to understand the relationship between dorsal metatarsal trauma and the onset of stringhalt, a veterinary condition causing sudden, involuntary flexing of the hindlimbs.
• A secondary aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of different treatment options (exercise and surgical interventions) in managing this condition.

Treatment and Outcomes

Treatment methods included exercise (daily hand-walking with pasture turnout followed by lunging) or a surgical procedure named “lateral digital extensor myotenectomy”.

• Among horses treated with exercise, stringhalt resolved in one horse, improved with residual symptoms in two, and showed no change in one horse.
• For horses that underwent the surgical operation, two displayed resolution of stringhalt. The remaining three had varying degrees of improvement, with one showing no change post-surgery.

Potential Causes and Complications

The authors suggest that stringhalt might be a complication arising from trauma to the dorsal metatarsus. Tendon adhesions enhancing tarsocrural joint flexion or abnormalities in the myotatic reflex post-tendon injury could potentially cause this abnormal flexion of the tarsocrural joint, leading to stringhalt.

• This study highlights how stringhalt can be potentially caused by traumatic injury in horses, particularly to the dorsal metatarsus region.
• It underscores the need for more understanding and research in this area to develop effective intervention measures that can alleviate this condition in affected horses.