Equine Tendon and Ligament Disease Flashcards
What are the two different types of tendon injury?
Percutaneous or Subcutaneous
How do percutaneous tendon injuries occur?
Laceration or penetration
How do subcutaneous tendon injuries occur?
Strain or displacement caused by sudden over-extension (DDFT) or preceding tendon degeneration with superimposed sudden over-extension (SDFT/SL)
What is the common history behind tendon injuries?
Preceding intense period of exercise but signs can be delayed
Is severity of signs linked to severity of injury?
No
How can you evaluate stance and gait for tendon injury?
Metacarpophalangeal joint extension is decreased with reduced weight bearing due to pain and fibrosed tendons
Metacarpophalangeal joint extension is increased with severe SDFT/SL injuries
Toe elevation = DDFT rupture
When should the limb be palpated?
Both weight-bearing and when the leg is lifted
How is ultrasound used to aid diagnosis?
Compare the affected and normal limb
Assess severity about 7 days post injury to give prognosis
Use a 7.5 MHz and a linear transducer +/- stand off pad
What signs are seen with superficial digital flexor tendinopathy?
Palmar metacarpal swelling, variable initial lameness, pain on palpation, core lesion seen on ultrasound
What are the signs seen with suspensory ligament desmitis?
Variable degree of lameness, acute/insidious onset, straight hock and overextending MTP joint, lamer with the limb on outside of circle, proximal MC/MT swelling variable with medial palmar vein distension, pain on palpation
How do you diagnose suspensory ligament desmitis?
Diagnostic analgesia and ultrasonography
What are the signs of suspensory body and branch desmitis?
Variable lameness
On ultrasound focal or generalised lesions, enlargement, periligamentar fibrosis and commonly bilateral involvement
Concurrent bony abnormalities on radiographs
What are the signs associated with inferior check ligament desmitis?
Swelling in proximal metacarpal region dorsal to SDFT
Lameness often variable and can be absent
Generalised enlargement on ultrasound
What clinical signs are seen with DDFT tendinopathy?
Usually within sheath or navicular bursa almost never in metacarpal region
Mid-substance disruption vs border tears
Which tendons are injured in front and back legs if intra-thecal tendon tears?
DDFT usually lateral border in forelimbs
Manica flexoria usually in hindlimb