Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Equine Antebrachial Compartment Syndrome Secondary to Flexor Muscle Myopathy With Subsequent Muscle Atrophy And Tendonitis: A Case Report.
- Journal:
- Journal of equine veterinary science
- Year:
- 2021
- Authors:
- Costa, Felipe et al.
- Affiliation:
- Sharjah Equine Hospital
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This case involves a 16-year-old jumping stallion that developed significant swelling and lameness in his left front leg after falling. Although he could still bear weight, he was limping noticeably. After a thorough examination and imaging tests, the horse was diagnosed with a condition affecting the flexor muscles (the muscles that help bend the leg) and a related issue called compartment syndrome, which is when pressure builds up in a muscle compartment. After receiving medical treatment, the horse showed improvement over several days, and six months later, he had some muscle wasting but was able to walk and trot without lameness. However, three months after that, he returned with swelling in another area of his leg, which was diagnosed as tendonitis in one of the flexor tendons. Overall, the treatment was effective in improving his condition, but he did develop some long-term issues.
Abstract
This case report describes a 16-year-old jumping stallion that had a marked swelling over the left antebrachial area along with substantial lameness after a fall. The horse was weight bearing but lame (4/5; AAEP scale) at the walk with marked enlargement in the caudal aspect of the antebrachial region. After a static musculoskeletal examination, radiography and ultrasonography the horse was diagnosed with flexor muscle myopathy and presumptive extremity compartment syndrome. Following medical treatment, the horse improved clinically over several days. Six-months post injury the horse showed flexor muscle atrophy but was sound at the walk and trot. The horse was presented again 3 months later with an enlargement of the palmar left metacarpus that was diagnosed as a superficial digital flexor tendonitis. This report describes the episodes from the onset of extremity compartment syndrome until the superficial digital flexor tendonitis, discusses anatomical features of the region, physiopathology of compartment syndrome and the possible biomechanics behind the flexor muscle atrophy and the tendonitis.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33993930/