Ultrasonographic measurement of the collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal joint in the Argentine Polo Horse.
Abstract: The collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal joint (CL-DIPJ) are important structures for athletic horses. Ligament injuries can cause lameness, but ultrasound imaging can detect such lesions, which usually present with changes in echogenicity and an increase in the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the ligament. Measurements of these structures vary among authors, which complicates the diagnosis. Thus, this study aimed to describe the ultrasound measurements (dorsopalmar diameter [DPD], lateromedial diameter [LMD], and CSA) of the CL-DIPJ in Argentine Polo horses. We measured the CL-DIPJ of 25 Argentine Polo horses. The measurements were repeated three times, and the mean value for the selected variables was calculated. The Student's t-test was applied to compare the contralateral ligaments and, subsequently, the lateral (LCL) and medial (MCL) collateral ligaments, regardless of the thoracic limb assessed. There was no difference (p> 0.05) between the contralateral ligaments. Similarly, no difference was found between the LCL and MCL for DPD and LMD. Regarding the CSA, there was a difference (p < 0.05). Thus, the mean values for the CL-DIPJ of the thoracic limbs of Argentine Polo horses were 13.13 ± 0.83 mm for the DPD, 8.79 ± 0.57 mm for the LMD, and a cross-sectional area of 0.97 ± 0.06 cm for the LCL and 0.98 ± 0.05 cm for the MCL. Os ligamentos colaterais da articulação interfalangeana distal (CL-DIPJ) são estruturas importantes para cavalos atletas. Lesões ligamentares podem causar claudicação, mas a ultrassonografia é capaz de detectar tais lesões, onde geralmente são observadas alterações na ecogenicidade e aumento da área de secção transversa do ligamento (CSA). As medidas dessas estruturas diferem entre os autores, prejudicando o diagnóstico. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi descrever as medidas ultrassonográficas do diâmetro dorsopalmar (DPD), diâmetro lateromedial (LMD) e CSA da CL-DIPJ de cavalos de polo argentino. Para isso, foram utilizados 25 cavalos de polo argentino, os quais foram submetidos à medição da CL-DIPJ. As medições foram repetidas três vezes e, após, foi calculado o valor médio para as variáveis selecionadas. O teste t de Student foi aplicado para comparar os ligamentos contralaterais e, posteriormente, os ligamentos colaterais laterais (LCL) e mediais (MCL) independentemente do membro torácico. Não houve diferença (p> 0,05) entre os ligamentos contralaterais. O mesmo foi encontrado entre ligamentos colaterais laterais e mediais, considerando os diâmetros dorsopalmar e lateromedial. Em relação ao CSA, houve diferença (p<0,05). Assim, os valores médios para o CL-DIPJ dos membros torácicos dos cavalos de polo argentino foram de 13,13 ± 0,83 mm para o DPD, 8,79 ± 0,57 mm para o LMD e uma área de secção transversa de 0,97 ± 0,06 cm2 para LCL e 0,98 ± 0,05 cm2 para MCL.
Publication Date: 2025-11-13 PubMed ID: 41246252PubMed Central: PMC12616747DOI: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm003125Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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Overview
- This study measured the size of the collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal joint (CL-DIPJ) in Argentine Polo horses using ultrasound to establish baseline values that can aid in diagnosing ligament injuries.
Background
- The collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal joint (CL-DIPJ) are critical structures supporting athletic horses’ limb joints, especially during intense movements.
- Injuries to these ligaments can cause lameness, affecting a horse’s athletic performance and welfare.
- Ultrasound imaging is a non-invasive method able to detect ligament lesions, often seen as changes in echogenicity (how the ligament appears on ultrasound) and increases in the ligament’s cross-sectional area (CSA).
- However, published measurements of these ligaments vary across studies, complicating consistent diagnosis.
Objective
- To provide specific, reliable ultrasound measurements of the CL-DIPJ collateral ligaments (dorsopalmar diameter [DPD], lateromedial diameter [LMD], and cross-sectional area [CSA]) in Argentine Polo horses.
Methodology
- Sample: 25 Argentine Polo horses were selected.
- Ultrasound measurements of the CL-DIPJ’s collateral ligaments were taken, focusing on two main diameters (DPD and LMD) and the cross-sectional area (CSA).
- Each measurement was repeated three times to improve precision, and the mean value for each measurement was calculated.
- Statistical Analysis:
- The Student’s t-test compared measurements between left and right contralateral ligaments to determine if there were side-to-side differences.
- Additionally, comparisons were made between the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and the medial collateral ligament (MCL) regardless of limb side.
Results
- No significant difference (p > 0.05) was found between contralateral ligaments—meaning left and right limbs had similar ligament sizes.
- The Lateral (LCL) vs. Medial Collateral Ligaments (MCL) showed no significant difference for dorsopalmar diameter (DPD) and lateromedial diameter (LMD).
- A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was found in the CSA between LCL and MCL, though the actual values were very close.
- Reported average measurements:
- DPD: 13.13 ± 0.83 mm
- LMD: 8.79 ± 0.57 mm
- CSA: 0.97 ± 0.06 cm2 for the lateral collateral ligament (LCL)
- CSA: 0.98 ± 0.05 cm2 for the medial collateral ligament (MCL)
Conclusions and Implications
- The study provides baseline ultrasound measurements for the CL-DIPJ collateral ligaments specific to Argentine Polo horses, aiding veterinarians in identifying abnormal ligament enlargement or damage.
- The lack of significant differences between left and right sides implies symmetry and supports using either limb for comparative diagnostic purposes when assessing injury.
- The small difference in CSA between LCL and MCL suggests subtle structural variability that might be relevant in clinical assessments.
- Having detailed, breed- and sport-specific reference values helps reduce diagnostic ambiguity caused by variations found in other published data.
Cite This Article
APA
Góss GC, Mozzaquatro FD, Machado IRL, Gomes EM, Martins NR, Duarte CA.
(2025).
Ultrasonographic measurement of the collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal joint in the Argentine Polo Horse.
Braz J Vet Med, 47, e003125.
https://doi.org/10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm003125 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia de Grandes Animais (DCCGA), Hospital Universitário Veterinário (HUVet), Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Campus Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil.
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Brazil.
- Departamento de Reprodução Equina (DRE), HUVet, UNIPAMPA, Campus Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil.
- Departamento de Diagnóstico por Imagem (DDI), HUVet, UNIPAMPA, Campus Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia de Pequenos Animais (DCCPA), HUVet, UNIPAMPA, Campus Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, DCCGA, HUVet, UNIPAMPA, Campus Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil.
- DCCGA, HUVet, UNIPAMPA, Campus Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil.
Conflict of Interest Statement
Conflict of interests: GCG, FDM, IRML, EMG, NRM and CAD – No conflict of interest.
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This article includes 10 references
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