Ultrasonographic evaluation and long-term follow-up of flexor tendonitis/desmitis in the metacarpal/metatarsal region in Dutch warmblood horses and standardbred racehorses.
Abstract: Over a 2 year-period, the ultrasonographic localization and distribution of flexor tendinous and ligamentous injuries, the long-term follow-up, and the outcome were studied in 101 Dutch Warmblood horses (DW) with a mean age of 8.7 years and in 71 Standardbred racehorses (ST) with a mean age of 5.2 years. The ratio between forelimb and hind limb flexor tendonitis/desmitis in the DW-group was 4:1 and in the ST-group group 4:3. In the DW-group, tendonitis/desmitis of the suspensory ligament (32%), the superficial digital flexor tendon (29%), the distal carpal check ligament (17%) of the forelimb (SLf, SDFf, and CL, respectively) and the suspensory ligament (11%) of the hind limb (SLh) occurred the most often. In the ST-group, tendonitis of the SDFf (34%) and desmitis of the SLh (34%) and SLf (18%) were the most common injuries. Of the 60 Dutch Warmblood horses available for follow-up, 25% showed full-functional recovery. Of the 61 Standardbreds available for follow-up, 18% showed full-functional recovery. Overall, local axial lesions seemed to have a worse prognosis than local abaxial or diffusive lesions.
Publication Date: 1994-05-01 PubMed ID: 7801507
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- Journal Article
- Clinical Study
- Deep Digital Flexor Tendon
- Diagnostic Technique
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Injury
- Ligaments
- Longitudinal Study
- Metacarpal Bone
- Metatarsal Bones
- Musculoskeletal System
- Prognosis
- Rehabilitation
- Standardbred Horses
- Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon
- Suspensory Ligament
- Tendons
- Ultrasound
- Veterinary Medicine
- Warmblood Horses
Summary
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The research article discusses the use of ultrasound to locate and study flexor tendon and ligament injuries in Dutch Warmblood and Standardbred racehorses over a two-year period. The study also tracks the long-term outcomes and recovery of these injuries in both breeds.
Overview of Ultrasonographic Study
- The research spans over two years and evaluates the location and distribution of flexor tendon and ligament injuries across Dutch Warmblood and Standardbred racehorses using ultrasonography.
- 101 Dutch Warmblood horses (average age of 8.7 years) and 71 Standardbred racehorses (average age of 5.2 years) were included in the study.
- The study also provides insights into the long-term recovery and outcomes of these injuries in both breeds.
Findings of the Study
- In the Dutch Warmblood group, the ratio of forelimb to hind limb injuries was 4:1, whereas this ratio in the Standardbred group was slightly higher (4:3).
- The most common injuries in the Dutch Warmblood group were tendonitis or desmitis of the suspensory ligament (32% of cases), the superficial digital flexor tendonitis (29%), and the distal carpal check ligament (17%) in the forelimb alongside suspensory ligament injuries in the hind limb (11%).
- On the other hand, in Standardbreds, tendonitis of the superficial digital flexor (34%) and desmitis of the hind and forelimb suspensory ligaments (34% and 18% respectively) were most commonly reported.
Follow-up and Recovery
- The research also involved follow-up assessments for the injuries. Most of the injuries showed either full or partial functional recovery over time.
- In the follow-up, 25% of the 60 Dutch Warmblood horses showed full-functional recovery.
- In the cases of the 61 Standardbreds available for follow-up, 18% showed full-functional recovery.
- The prognosis was comparatively worse for axial lesions than local abaxial or diffusive lesions.
Cite This Article
APA
van den Belt AJ, Dik KJ, Barneveld A.
(1994).
Ultrasonographic evaluation and long-term follow-up of flexor tendonitis/desmitis in the metacarpal/metatarsal region in Dutch warmblood horses and standardbred racehorses.
Vet Q, 16 Suppl 2, S76-S80.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of General and Large Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Follow-Up Studies
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Ligaments / diagnostic imaging
- Ligaments / injuries
- Ligaments / pathology
- Metacarpus
- Metatarsal Bones
- Netherlands / epidemiology
- Prognosis
- Tendinopathy / diagnostic imaging
- Tendinopathy / epidemiology
- Tendinopathy / pathology
- Tendinopathy / veterinary
- Ultrasonography
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