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Veterinary world2015; 8(2); 208-212; doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.208-212

Ultrasonographic assessment of the equine palmar tendons.

Abstract: The present study was conducted to evaluate the equine palmar tendon by ultrasonography (USG) in standing the position. Methods: USG of palmar tendons was performed in 40 adult horses using linear transducer having frequency of 10-18 MHz (e-soate, My Lab FIVE) and L52 linear array transducer (Titan, SonoSite) with frequencies ranging from 8 to 10 MHz. Palmar tendon was divided into 7 levels from distal to accessory carpal bone up to ergot in transverse scanning and 3 levels in longitudinal scanning. Results: The USG evaluation was very useful for diagnosis of affections of the conditions such as chronic bowed tendon, suspensory ligament desmitis, carpal sheath tenosynovitis and digital sheath effusions. The mean cross-sectional area (cm(2)) of affected tendons was significantly increased in affected than normal tendons. The echogenicity was also found reduced in affected tendons and ligaments along with disorganization of fiber alignment depending on the severity of lesion and injury. Conclusions: USG proved ideal diagnostic tool for diagnosis and post-treatment healing assessment of tendon injuries in horses.
Publication Date: 2015-02-21 PubMed ID: 27047074PubMed Central: PMC4774705DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.208-212Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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This research study used ultrasonography to assess the health of the palmar tendons in horses. The findings showed that ultrasonography was very useful in diagnosing and monitoring treatment for a variety of tendon-related health issues.

Methodology

  • An ultrasonography (USG) was performed on the palmar tendons of 40 adult horses. The horses were kept in a standing position during the examination.
  • Two types of transducers were used for the USG – an e-soate, My Lab FIVE linear transducer with a frequency of 10-18 MHz, and an L52 linear array transducer (Titan, SonoSite) with frequencies ranging from 8 to 10 MHz.
  • For more comprehensive results, the palmar tendon was examined at seven different points in transverse scanning, and at three points in longitudinal scanning.

Results

  • The data gathered from the USG made it possible to diagnose several conditions, such as chronic bowed tendons, suspensory ligament desmitis, carpal sheath tenosynovitis, and digital sheath effusions.
  • The study found that affected tendons had a significantly larger cross-sectional area compared to healthy tendons.
  • There was reduced echogenicity (the ability to reflect ultrasonic waves) in the affected tendons and ligaments. This allowed the researchers to identify variations in the tendon structure and any disorders present.
  • The alignment of fibers within the tendons and ligaments also showed signs of disorganization. This was dependent on the severity of the lesion or injury.

Conclusions

  • Ultrasonography proved to be an effective and non-invasive diagnostic tool. It allowed for accurate diagnosis and post-treatment evaluation of tendon injuries in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Padaliya NR, Ranpariya JJ, Kumar D, Javia CB, Barvalia DR. (2015). Ultrasonographic assessment of the equine palmar tendons. Vet World, 8(2), 208-212. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2015.208-212

Publication

ISSN: 0972-8988
NlmUniqueID: 101504872
Country: India
Language: English
Volume: 8
Issue: 2
Pages: 208-212

Researcher Affiliations

Padaliya, N R
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand-388 001, Gujarat, India.
Ranpariya, J J
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand-388 001, Gujarat, India.
Kumar, Dharmendra
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand-388 001, Gujarat, India.
Javia, C B
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand-388 001, Gujarat, India.
Barvalia, D R
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand-388 001, Gujarat, India.

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Citations

This article has been cited 7 times.
  1. Entani MG, Franini A, Barella G, Saleri R, De Rensis F, Spattini G. High-Resolution Ultrasonographic Anatomy of the Carpal Tendons of Sporting Border Collies. Animals (Basel) 2022 Aug 11;12(16).
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  2. McDougall RA, Canapp SO, Canapp DA. Ultrasonographic Findings in 41 Dogs Treated with Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate and Platelet-Rich Plasma for a Supraspinatus Tendinopathy: A Retrospective Study. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:98.
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  3. Hagen J, Kojah K, Geiger M. Correlations between the equine metacarpophalangeal joint angulation and toe conformation in statics. Open Vet J 2018;8(1):96-103.
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  4. Alzola R, Easter C, Riggs CM, Gardner DS, Freeman SL. Ultrasonographic-based predictive factors influencing successful return to racing after superficial digital flexor tendon injuries in flat racehorses: A retrospective cohort study in 469 Thoroughbred racehorses in Hong Kong. Equine Vet J 2018 Sep;50(5):602-608.
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  5. Gadallah S, Sharshar A, Fadel M, Mahran E, Hammad A. Ultrasonographic characterization of tendons and ligaments of palmar/plantar aspect of the cannon region in Egyptian donkeys. Iran J Vet Res 2024;25(2):143-155.
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  6. Willette JA, Tsoi M, Frobish D, VanderBroek AR. Intrathecal enalapril reduces adhesion formation in experimentally induced digital flexor tendon sheath injuries in horses. Vet Surg 2025 Jan;54(1):141-154.
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  7. Eren G, López-Albors O, Guilabert Segura R, Jordan Montesinos J, Latorre R. Accessory Ligament of the Deep Digital Flexor Tendon of the Horse Forelimb and Its Relationship with the Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon: A Plastination, Histological, and Morphometry Study. Animals (Basel) 2024 Oct 14;14(20).
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