Superficial digital flexor tendonitis in Thoroughbred race horses: outcome following non‐surgical treatment and superior check desmotomy

Abstract

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.

Localization of Cytokines in Tendinocytes of the Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon in the Horse.

“…This injury usually takes long time for treatment and recovery, and frequently reoccurs after affected horses return to training or racing [5,6,8]. In most cases, this injury accompanies the formation of scars in tendons and very frail, and often reoccur at the scar.…”

Proximal Check Ligament Desmotomy

“…Increased strain on the suspensory ligament after proximal check ligament desmotomy may predispose to suspensory ligament desmititis. 8,9 Horses treated for metacarpophalangeal flexural deformities may not have significant improvement with proximal check ligament desmotomy alone and may require additional procedures.…”

“…[4][5][6]9 The reason for improvement is not clearly understood but is likely related to the functional lengthening of the superficial digital flexor musculotendinous unit that occurs after desmotomy. When the proximal check ligament is intact, the majority of the load during weight bearing is sustained by the tendon from the proximal check ligament distally.…”

Clinical application of adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction in 3 Thoroughbred horses with superficial digital flexor tendonitis: Case Report

“…Superficial digital flexor tendonitis represents a substantial cause of wastage within the horse industry, with an incidence of 8-43% in racing Thoroughbreds (Dowling et al, 2000), whereas most of the published data are related to flat racing horses (Genovese et al, 1996;Gibson et al, 1997).…”