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Use of magnetic resonance imaging identify suspensory desmitis and adhesions between exostoses of the second metacarpal bone and the suspensory ligament in four horses.
Abstract: Four horses were examined because of chronic forelimb lameness. In all horses, the cause of the lameness was localized to the metacarpus by means of physical examination and diagnostic anesthesia, and radiography of the affected limb revealed a small exostosis of the second metacarpal bone. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed suspensory desmitis in the region of this exostosis in all 4 horses. In addition, an abnormal area of low signal intensity, suggestive of an adhesion, was seen between the exostosis and the suspensory ligament. In all horses, an adhesion between the suspensory ligament and the exostosis on the second metacarpal bone was identified and transected at surgery, and the exostosis and distal portion of the second metacarpal bone were removed. All horses were able to return to their previous athletic use following a 6-month rest and rehabilitation program for treatment of the suspensory desmitis. Findings in these horses suggest that adhesions between the suspensory ligament and an exostosis of the second metacarpal bone may be a cause of chronic or recurrent forelimb lameness in horses.
Publication Date: 2004-06-17 PubMed ID: 15198268DOI: 10.2460/javma.2004.224.1815Google 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
- Adhesions
- Athletic Horses
- Case Reports
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Clinical Symptoms
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease Diagnosis
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Lameness
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Metacarpal Bone
- Physical Examination
- Radiology
- Rehabilitation
- Surgery
- Suspensory Ligament
- Treatment
- Veterinary Medicine
Summary
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The research focuses on four horses with chronic forelimb lameness, which was caused by a small bony growth or exostosis on the second metacarpal bone, leading to suspensory desmitis. The lameness was addressed through surgery, removal of the bony growth, and a six-month period of rest and rehabilitation.
Research Subject and Presentation of Symptoms
- The study involved four horses with a condition of chronic lameness in their forelimbs.
- The lameness was localized to the metacarpus of each horse through physical examination and diagnostic anesthesia.
- A radiographic examination of the affected limb revealed an exostosis, or abnormal growth of bone, on each horse’s second metacarpal bone.
Use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- MRI was used to examine the area where the exostosis was found. The imaging revealed that all horses suffered from suspensory desmitis in the region of the exostosis.
- Besides, an abnormal low signal intensity area was observed, suggesting the presence of adhesion between the exostosis and the suspensory ligament.
Surgical Intervention and Rehabilitation
- In each horse, the identified adhesion between the suspensory ligament and the exostosis on the second metacarpal bone was surgically transected, and the exostosis along with the distal part of the second metacarpal bone was removed.
- The horses were then subjected to a 6-month rest and rehabilitation program focused on the treatment of the suspensory desmitis.
- Following the program, all horses were able to return to their previous levels of athletic activity.
Conclusions
- The findings suggest that adhesions between the suspensory ligament and an exostosis of the second metacarpal bone could be a cause of chronic or recurring forelimb lameness in horses.
- The research implies that diagnosing such adhesions and adequately addressing them could lead to the successful treatment of this type of lameness.
Cite This Article
APA
Zubrod CJ, Schneider RK, Tucker RL.
(2004).
Use of magnetic resonance imaging identify suspensory desmitis and adhesions between exostoses of the second metacarpal bone and the suspensory ligament in four horses.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 224(11), 1815-1789.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2004.224.1815 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-7060, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Exostoses / diagnosis
- Exostoses / pathology
- Exostoses / veterinary
- Female
- Forelimb
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Inflammation / diagnosis
- Inflammation / pathology
- Inflammation / surgery
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Lameness, Animal / etiology
- Ligaments, Articular / pathology
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
- Male
- Metacarpus / pathology
- Tissue Adhesions / diagnosis
- Tissue Adhesions / pathology
- Tissue Adhesions / surgery
- Tissue Adhesions / veterinary
- Treatment Outcome
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.
- Salem M, El-Shafaey ES, Farag AMM, El-Khodery S, Al Mohamad Z, Abass M. A Descriptive Study of the Carpal Joint of Healthy Donkeys Using Ultrasonography, Computed Tomography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Vet Sci 2022 May 23;9(5).
- Abushhiwa MH, Elmeshreghi TN, Alrtib AM, Bennour EM, Oheida AH. First phalanx exostosis in traditional equestrian horses in Western Libya. Open Vet J 2022 Jan-Feb;12(1):69-74.
- Mizobe F, Nomura M, Kato T, Nambo Y, Yamada K. Signal changes in standing magnetic resonance imaging of osseous injury at the origin of the suspensory ligament in four Thoroughbred racehorses under tiludronic acid treatment. J Equine Sci 2017;28(3):87-97.
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