Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Superficial digital flexor tendonitis in thoroughbred race horses: outcome following non-surgical treatment and superior check desmotomy.
- Journal:
- Australian veterinary journal
- Year:
- 1997
- Authors:
- Gibson, K T et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This study looked at how well non-surgical treatment and a specific surgical procedure called superior check desmotomy worked for Thoroughbred racehorses with a condition known as superficial digital flexor tendonitis, which affects a tendon in the leg. Researchers examined 124 horses and found that there was no significant difference in the severity of tendon damage between the two treatment methods. While horses that had the surgery were more likely to race five times or more, they also had a higher chance of developing new injuries after returning to training, particularly injuries to the suspensory ligament. Overall, the study concluded that the surgical option did not provide any clear benefits over non-surgical treatment in preventing further injuries.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study documents the results of non-surgical treatment and treatment by superior check desmotomy in Thoroughbred racehorses with superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendonitis. DESIGN: A prospective study was made of 124 thoroughbred racehorses with unilateral or bilateral SDF tendonitis. PROCEDURE: The flexor tendons were assessed by physical and ultrasonographic examination before treatment, and the lesions detected in affected tendons were characterised according to lesion type, length and cross-sectional area. Ninety three horses were managed non-surgically and 31 by superior check desmotomy. Recurrent or new injuries were defined as injuries affecting a previously injured superficial digital flexor tendon, the contralateral SDF tendon, or the suspensory ligament (interosseous muscle) in either forelimb. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found in ultrasonographic lesion severity between treatment groups. Horses managed by superior check desmotomy were 1.3 times more likely to complete five or more races than horses managed non-surgically (95% confidence limits 0.93-1.82). Horses treated surgically were 1.2 times more likely to develop recurrent or new injuries after returning to training than horses managed non-surgically (95% CL 0.95-1.55). Horses undergoing superior check desmotomy were 5.5 times more likely to develop suspensory desmitis than horses treated non-surgically (95% CL 1.13-26.4). There was no difference in the time to recurrent or new injury between treatment groups. CONCLUSION: There was no statistically significant difference between treatment groups in the proportions of horses able to complete five or more races after an episode of superficial digital flexor tendonitis. Superior check desmotomy did not appear to offer an advantage over non-surgical treatment in preventing recurrent or new injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses. Horses undergoing superior check desmotomy appeared to be at greater risk of developing suspensory ligament injuries than horses managed non-surgically.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9325536/