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Desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon for treatment of chronic deep digital flexor tendinopathy in three Quarter Horses
Author(s) -
Humbach K. E.,
GutierrezNibeyro S. D.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
equine veterinary education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.304
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 2042-3292
pISSN - 0957-7734
DOI - 10.1111/eve.12713
Subject(s) - medicine , lameness , tendinopathy , tendon , surgery , ligament , physical examination
Summary Effective treatments for horses diagnosed with severe deep digital flexor ( DDF ) tendinopathy are limited. In this study, three Quarter Horses diagnosed with severe bilateral DDF tendinopathy underwent bilateral desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the DDF tendon after failing to respond to conservative therapy. Lameness markedly improved in all three horses. Given that severe DDF tendinopathy is typically associated with persistent or recurrent lameness, desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the DDF tendon might be a treatment option to alleviate lameness in horses with DDF tendinopathy. This treatment option appears promising; however, a larger number of cases is necessary to support the results in these three horses.