Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Intrathecal deep digital flexor tenectomy for treatment of septic tendonitis/tenosynovitis in four horses.
- Journal:
- Veterinary surgery : VS
- Year:
- 2011
- Authors:
- Marsh, Chad A et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This study looked at four horses that had chronic infections in their deep digital flexor tendon and the surrounding area, which didn't get better with standard treatments. The horses underwent a specific surgery to partially remove a part of the tendon, followed by being stabilized in casts and getting special shoes. After the surgery, which was done anywhere from 10 to 210 days after their initial injury, the horses stayed in the hospital for about 82 days. Long-term follow-up showed that all four horses were able to walk comfortably in the pasture and were used for breeding. The surgery proved to be an effective option for these horses with complicated tendon issues.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe partial removal of the intrathecal component of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) in horses with chronic septic DDF tendonitis and tenosynovitis unresponsive to conventional therapy, and to report long-term outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: Horses (n=4). METHODS: Four horses with chronic septic DDF tendonitis and tenosynovitis were treated by surgical tenectomy of the intrathecal component of the DDFT, followed by stabilization in casts and subsequent corrective shoeing. All horses were previously managed unsuccessfully with combinations of conventional therapy consisting of systemic antibiotics, through and through tendon sheath lavage/open drainage, regional limb perfusions, tenoscopy with debridement and transection of the palmar/plantar annular ligament, and intrathecal antibiotics. RESULTS: Time from initial injury/diagnosis to tenectomy ranged from 10 to 210 days. Mean hospitalization time after surgery was 82 days. Long-term follow-up (>1.5 years; mean, 3.8 years) was available. All 4 horses were able to walk comfortably at pasture and were used as broodmares. CONCLUSIONS: Intrathecal tenectomy is a viable surgical procedure for treatment of chronic septic tenosynovitis of the digital sheath that is complicated by septic tendonitis of the DDFT.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21314702/