Use of computed tomography to diagnose new bone formation associated with desmitis of the proximal aspect of the suspensory ligament in third metacarpal or third metatarsal bones of three horses.
Abstract: 3 horses with lameness localized to the proximal aspect of the metacarpus or metatarsus. Results: All horses had evidence of problems that originated from the proximal aspect of the suspensory ligament (PASL), including signs of pain on palpation, positive results of diagnostic nerve blocks, ultrasonographic detection of enlargement and diffuse areas of reduced echogenicity in the proximal region of insertion of the ligament, and radiographic detection of increased mineral opacity in the proximal aspect of the metacarpus or metatarsus. Desmitis of the PASL was diagnosed in each horse; however, conservative treatment failed to improve the lameness. The horses were taken to surgery for splitting of the PASL and osteostixis of the proximal aspect of the third metacarpal or metatarsal bone. At that time, the proximal aspect of the metacarpus or metatarsus was evaluated via computed tomography (CT), which identified new bone formation at the proximal aspect of the third metacarpal or metatarsal bone that had not already been identified. Results: In all horses, the newly formed bone was removed surgically under radiographic and CT guidance, and the splitting and osteostixis that had been planned were performed. After rehabilitation, all horses returned to full training at 6 months after surgery. All horses responded well to the surgical treatment and were sound 8 months afterward. Conclusions: Use of CT imaging should be considered in lame horses with pain associated with the proximal aspect of the third metacarpal or metatarsal bones that does not improve with conservative treatment.
Publication Date: 2009-02-19 PubMed ID: 19222363DOI: 10.2460/javma.234.4.514Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Case Reports
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This research investigated the use of Computed Tomography (CT) for diagnosing new bone formation in horses associated with desmitis (inflammation of a ligament) in the top region of specific ligaments in their legs. Even after usual treatments had failed, the application of CT scans on these horses revealed new bone formations, which were subsequently removed surgically, allowing the horses to return to full training.
Study Information and Methods
- The study involved three horses that had displayed symptoms of lameness localized to the top region of either their metacarpus (part of the front leg) or metatarsus (part of the back leg).
- Various diagnostic methods were used to identify the source of the problem, including physical examination, nerve blocks, ultrasonography, and radiography. Each revealed signs that the problem originated from the top area of the suspensory ligament, a ligament that supports the fetlock joint.
- Each horse was diagnosed with desmitis of the suspensory ligament, but conventional treatments failed to improve their condition.
- The horses were then subjected to surgery, during which computed tomography (CT) was used to investigate the problematic area.
Findings
- The CT scans revealed new bone formations at the top area of the third metacarpal or metatarsal bone, formations that had not been documented by previous diagnostic methods.
- Surgically, the newly formed bones were removed under the guidance of radiographic and CT imagery. The splitting and osteostixis (procedure to promote bone growth) of the originally planned surgery were also carried out.
Post-Surgery Outcome
- All horses returned to full training six months post-surgery and were sound eight months after the procedure.
Conclusions
- The use of CT imaging was determined to be potentially very useful in diagnosing lameness issues in horses related to the top segment of either the third metacarpal or metatarsal bones, particularly in cases where conservative treatment methods don’t yield results. The CT scans revealed new bone formations that were not identified by other diagnostic methods, leading to successful surgical treatments.
Cite This Article
APA
Launois MT, Vandeweerd JM, Perrin RA, Brogniez L, Desbrosse FG, Clegg PD.
(2009).
Use of computed tomography to diagnose new bone formation associated with desmitis of the proximal aspect of the suspensory ligament in third metacarpal or third metatarsal bones of three horses.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 234(4), 514-518.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.234.4.514 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Clinique Equine Desbrosse, 18 rue des Champs, La Brosse, 78470, St Lambert des Bois, France.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal
- Ligaments, Articular / injuries
- Ligaments, Articular / pathology
- Ligaments, Articular / surgery
- Male
- Metacarpus / diagnostic imaging
- Metacarpus / pathology
- Metacarpus / surgery
- Metatarsus / diagnostic imaging
- Metatarsus / pathology
- Metatarsus / surgery
- Ossification, Heterotopic / diagnosis
- Ossification, Heterotopic / diagnostic imaging
- Ossification, Heterotopic / surgery
- Ossification, Heterotopic / veterinary
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Guest DJ, Birch HL, Thorpe CT. A review of the equine suspensory ligament: Injury prone yet understudied. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1167-1182.
- Gerdes C, Morgan R, Terry R, Foote A, Smith R. Computed tomographic arthrography, gross anatomy and histology demonstrate a communication between synovial invaginations in the proximal aspect of the third interosseous muscle and the carpometacarpal joint in horses. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:958598.
- Vandenberghe A, Broeckx SY, Beerts C, Seys B, Zimmerman M, Verweire I, Suls M, Spaas JH. Tenogenically Induced Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Proximal Suspensory Ligament Desmitis in a Horse. Front Vet Sci 2015;2:49.
- MacEoin F, Robinson P. Repetitive stress-related injury of the proximal metacarpus in a seven-year old Thoroughbred racehorse with emphasis on diagnostic analgesia of the proximopalmar metacarpus. Ir Vet J 2014;67(1):26.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
