Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Bilateral hindlimb superficial digital flexor tendinopathy in a sports horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of equine veterinary science
- Year:
- 2026
- Authors:
- Mazzucco, L et al.
- Affiliation:
- Pool House Equine Hospital · United Kingdom
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 16-year-old Irish sports horse gelding was brought in because he had swelling in both hind legs and was limping badly after competing in a cross-country event. The veterinarian suspected he had injured a tendon in his legs, which was confirmed by an ultrasound that showed significant damage to the tendons. To treat this, the vet injected a special concentrate made from the horse's own bone marrow into the injured area and recommended a controlled exercise program. After eight months of rehabilitation, the horse was able to return to showjumping, and follow-up checks over the next 44 months showed that he did not have any further tendon issues. This case is notable because it is the first report of this type of tendon injury in the hind legs of a sports horse.
Abstract
Superficial digital flexor tendinopathy is a common cause of forelimb lameness in Thoroughbred racehorses and sports horses; however, this condition is rarely observed in the hindlimb. A 16-year-old Irish sports horse gelding was presented with bilateral swelling in the plantar metatarsal region and severe bilateral hindlimb lameness visible at the walk. The lameness occurred after the cross-country phase of an eventing competition. The clinical suspicion of superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injury was confirmed after ultrasonographic examination, which revealed an extensive core lesion in both hindlimb SDFTs. Ultrasound-guided intralesional injection of autologous bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) was performed in association with controlled exercise. Following a rehabilitation period of eight months, the horse was able to resume showjumping. Follow-up was available for 44 months, and no recurrence of the previous SDFT injury was noted. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report describing bilateral hindlimb SDF tendinopathy in the metatarsal region of a sports horse.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41724256/