Superficial digital flexor tendon healing: ultrasonographic evaluation of therapies.
Abstract: Until recently, it was difficult to critically evaluate tendon healing in vivo. Superficial digital flexor tendon injuries were considered healed when the injured tendon was cold, non-painful, adequate time had passed for tendon healing to occur, and no recurrence of the injury was detected when the horse returned to athletic work. This article discusses how ultrasonography has revolutionized the diagnosis, treatment, and management of tendon injuries.
Publication Date: 2001-08-08 PubMed ID: 11488042DOI: 10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30081-0Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article discusses how ultrasonography has significantly improved the understanding, treatment, and management of superficial digital flexor tendon injuries in horses.
Enhanced Diagnosis with Ultrasonography
- The first major finding in the paper relates to the diagnosis of tendon injuries. Previously, the healing of the tendon was judged using a set of subjective criteria – the injury was considered to have healed if the tendon was not inflamed, was not causing pain, a significant amount of time had passed, and the horse could perform athletic work without signs of the injury recurring. However, these criteria were not always an accurate gauge of whether the tendon had truly healed.
- With the application of ultrasonography, a more objective and accurate assessment of the state of the tendon could be made. Ultrasonography allows for real-time visualization of the tendon, revealing any structural anomalies and providing reliable information on the state of the healing process.
Improved Treatment and Management of Tendon Injuries
- Secondly, the paper discusses how ultrasonography has improved the treatment and management of tendon injuries. The ability to reliably assess the state of the tendon allows for more targeted and effective treatment strategies to be employed. For example, treatments can be adjusted based on the observed state of the tendon, and the success of different treatment strategies can be directly observed and measured.
- Management strategies can also be enhanced through the use of ultrasonography. The risk of re-injury can be reduced by closely monitoring the healing process, and any signs of recurring injury can be detected early, allowing for interventions to be carried out before the injury becomes severe.
Technological Revolution in Tendon Injury Care
- Overall, the introduction of ultrasonography represents a significant advancement in the care of tendon injuries in horses. Rather than relying on subjective criteria and educated guesswork, veterinarians and horse care professionals can now make informed decisions based on objective, real-time data.
- The paper suggests that ultrasonography could potentially revolutionize the treatment of tendon injuries, leading to better outcomes for injured horses and potentially saving lives in the process.
Cite This Article
APA
Reef VB.
(2001).
Superficial digital flexor tendon healing: ultrasonographic evaluation of therapies.
Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 17(1), 159-viii.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30081-0 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, Section of Sports Medicine and Imaging, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA. vreef@vet.upenn.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Tendinopathy / diagnostic imaging
- Tendinopathy / therapy
- Tendinopathy / veterinary
- Tendon Injuries / diagnostic imaging
- Tendon Injuries / rehabilitation
- Tendon Injuries / therapy
- Tendon Injuries / veterinary
- Treatment Outcome
- Ultrasonography
- Wound Healing / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Iimori M, Tamura N, Seki K, Kasashima Y. Relationship between the ultrasonographic findings of suspected superficial digital flexor tendon injury and the prevalence of subsequent severe superficial digital flexor tendon injuries in Thoroughbred horses: a retrospective study.. J Vet Med Sci 2022 Feb 23;84(2):261-265.
- Montano C, Auletta L, Greco A, Costanza D, Coluccia P, Del Prete C, Meomartino L, Pasolini MP. The Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Treatment of Tenodesmic Lesions in Horses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical and Experimental Data.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 12;11(3).
- Kovac M, Litvin YA, Aliev RO, Zakirova EY, Rutland CS, Kiyasov AP, Rizvanov AA. Gene Therapy Using Plasmid DNA Encoding VEGF164 and FGF2 Genes: A Novel Treatment of Naturally Occurring Tendinitis and Desmitis in Horses.. Front Pharmacol 2018;9:978.
- Georg R, Maria C, Gisela A, Bianca C. Autologous conditioned plasma as therapy of tendon and ligament lesions in seven horses.. J Vet Sci 2010 Jun;11(2):173-5.
- Boesen MI, Nanni S, Langberg H, Boesen M, Falk-Ronne J, Bliddal H, Torp-Pedersen S. Colour doppler ultrasonography and sclerosing therapy in diagnosis and treatment of tendinopathy in horses-a research model for human medicine.. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2007 Jul;15(7):935-9.
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