Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Use of computed tomography to diagnose new bone formation associated with desmitis of the proximal aspect of the suspensory ligament in third metacarpal or third metatarsal bones of three horses.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 2009
- Authors:
- Launois, Marc T et al.
- Affiliation:
- Clinique Equine Desbrosse · France
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Three horses were experiencing lameness in their front or back legs due to issues with a ligament called the suspensory ligament, located near the top of their leg bones. They showed signs of pain when touched, and tests revealed swelling and changes in the ligament area, but standard treatments did not help. The horses underwent surgery where doctors used a special imaging technique called computed tomography (CT) to find and remove new bone growth that had formed, which was not seen before. After the surgery and a rehabilitation period, all three horses were able to return to full training six months later and were sound eight months after the procedure. This case suggests that CT imaging can be very useful for diagnosing problems in lame horses when regular treatments aren't effective.
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION: 3 horses with lameness localized to the proximal aspect of the metacarpus or metatarsus. CLINICAL FINDINGS: All horses had evidence of problems that originated from the proximal aspect of the suspensory ligament (PASL), including signs of pain on palpation, positive results of diagnostic nerve blocks, ultrasonographic detection of enlargement and diffuse areas of reduced echogenicity in the proximal region of insertion of the ligament, and radiographic detection of increased mineral opacity in the proximal aspect of the metacarpus or metatarsus. Desmitis of the PASL was diagnosed in each horse; however, conservative treatment failed to improve the lameness. The horses were taken to surgery for splitting of the PASL and osteostixis of the proximal aspect of the third metacarpal or metatarsal bone. At that time, the proximal aspect of the metacarpus or metatarsus was evaluated via computed tomography (CT), which identified new bone formation at the proximal aspect of the third metacarpal or metatarsal bone that had not already been identified. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: In all horses, the newly formed bone was removed surgically under radiographic and CT guidance, and the splitting and osteostixis that had been planned were performed. After rehabilitation, all horses returned to full training at 6 months after surgery. All horses responded well to the surgical treatment and were sound 8 months afterward. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Use of CT imaging should be considered in lame horses with pain associated with the proximal aspect of the third metacarpal or metatarsal bones that does not improve with conservative treatment.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19222363/