Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ultrasound-guided, minimally invasive, biceps brachii tenotomy in a standing horse.
- Journal:
- Veterinary surgery : VS
- Year:
- 2026
- Authors:
- Marques, Guilherme F et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Large Animal Medicine · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 17-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse gelding had a serious lameness in his left shoulder that didn't get better with regular treatment. After finding some fractures and issues with the biceps tendon and bursa in that area, the veterinarians decided to perform a special surgery called a biceps brachii tenotomy, which was done while the horse was standing and lightly sedated. Right after the surgery, the horse showed a big improvement in his lameness, and he continued to receive pain management and physical therapy. After 21 months, he was able to move around comfortably in the pasture without any problems. Overall, the surgery was successful, and the horse remained sound for long-term use.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the long-term outcome of a horse that underwent a standing, ultrasound-guided, minimally invasive, biceps brachii tenotomy. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. ANIMAL: A 17-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse gelding. METHODS: The horse had a chronic, severe, lameness localized to the left shoulder region. Diagnostic imaging revealed fractures of the intermediate and lesser tubercles of the left humerus, biceps brachii (BB) tendinopathy, and bicipital bursitis. Conservative management was attempted, but lack of improvement prompted surgical intervention. An ultrasound-guided, minimally invasive, BB tenotomy was performed under standing sedation and local anesthesia. RESULTS: Immediately following the procedure, a substantial improvement in lameness was achieved. Further case management consisted of systemic and local pain management, physiotherapy exercises, and periodic local corticosteroid injections. At 21 months following surgery, the horse remained pasture sound. CONCLUSION: An ultrasound-guided, minimally invasive, approach for biceps brachii tenotomy was simple to perform and resulted in rapid improvement in lameness. There were no incisional complications and long-term pasture soundness was achieved.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40931893/