Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Horse with severe lameness in right foreleg - what could be wrong?
By Hoegaerts, Michel et al.·Published in Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association·2005·Department of Medical Imaging of Domestic Animals·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Comminuted fracture of the distal sesamoid bone and distal rupture of the deep digital flexor tendon.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old show jumper was brought in for severe lameness in the right front leg, where the toe was pointing upward, indicating a possible tendon injury. X-rays showed a serious fracture in the distal sesamoid bone and damage to the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT). Unfortunately, the horse's condition was confirmed to be severe upon further examination after passing away. The horse had previously received corticosteroid injections in the area, which may have contributed to the tendon rupture.
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Abstract
A 10-year-old show jumper was evaluated for an acute severe lameness (grade 4 of 5) of the right foreleg. During weight bearing, the toe of the affected limb rotated dorsally suggesting rupture of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT). Upon radiographic examination of the hoof, a severe erosion at the flexor surface and a parasagittal fracture of the distal sesamoid bone were found. Ultrasonographic examination confirmed rupture of the DDFT. These findings were confirmed on post-mortem examination. Prior to the acute lameness, the horse was treated with corticosteroid injections into the podotrochlear bursa. Repeated intra-bursal injections of corticosteroids as a possible cause for DDFT rupture are discussed as well as the possible association between a degenerative distal sesamoid bone, a distal sesamoid bone fracture and a DDFT rupture.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16050282/