Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Horse tendon surgery to fix torn flexor tendon part without harming
By Racine, Julien et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2026·Department of Equine Surgery, Germany·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Four-step tenoscopic technique to resect a torn proximal manica flexoria while sparing the mesotendons of the deep digital flexor tendon in 30 horses.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A group of 30 horses with torn proximal manica flexoria (a tendon structure) underwent a specialized surgery to remove the damaged tissue while protecting surrounding tendons. Most of the injuries were found in the hindlimbs, and the horses were able to return to their previous level of activity after the procedure. The surgery was successful in all cases, with many horses, including sport and leisure horses, showing good recovery. This technique aims to minimize damage during surgery and maintain blood supply to the tendons, which is crucial for healing.
People also search for: horse tendon injury treatment · horse surgery recovery time · torn tendon in horse leg
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe a modified two-portal tenoscopic technique for proximal manica flexoria (MF) resection designed to preserve the mesotendons (MTs) of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: Client-owned horses (n = 30). METHODS: MF resection was performed in four steps: (1) Transection of the lateral attachment of the MF to the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), staying abaxial to the lateral MT; (2) transection of the medial attachment of the MF to the SDFT between the flexor tendons from distal to proximal until reaching the level of the medial MT; (3) transection of the proximal medial attachment of the MF to the SDFT dorsal to the DDFT; and (4) fixation with a Kocher-Ochsner clamp, followed by rotation to disrupt the areolar tissue and extract the MF. Long-term follow-up (>6 months) was assessed by telephone interview. RESULTS: Proximal MF tears were located medially in 20/30 (66.7%), laterally in 7/30 (23.3%), and both medially and laterally in 3/30 (10.0%) cases. Hindlimbs were affected in 27/30 (90.0%), and forelimbs in 3/30 (10.0%). Nine of 11 sport horses (81.8%) and 12 of 17 leisure horses (70.6%) returned to the same or a higher level of work. CONCLUSION: The MF was successfully resected in all horses irrespective of tear localization. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This two-portal MF resection technique, described step by step, was developed to further limit surgical trauma with a specific focus on preserving the MTs and thereby maintaining the extrinsic blood supply to the flexor tendons.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41239776/