Iran J Vet Surg, Print ISSN: 2008-3033, Online ISSN: 2676-6299

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad university, Kazerun Branch, Kazerun, Iran.

Abstract

Tendons and ligaments in the palmar/plantar aspect of fetlock joints are always exposed to injuries resulting from traumas and diseases of limbs. Ultrasound has wide extensive use in the diagnosis and measurement of equine soft tissues and musculoskeletal injuries in horses. The purpose of the current research is to measure and comparison of the fetlock joint tendons and ligaments dimensions in the front and hind limbs of sound Darehshori horses. This study consisted of ten healthy Darehshori horses whose mean age and height of them were 11.2 ± 3.5 years and 151.6 ± 10.2 cm. After clipping and washing, the area between 4 cm above the proximal sesamoid bones and distal to the level of the proximal sesamoid bones was divided into 2 levels in sagittal and 3 levels in transverse view. Ultrasonography was performed with a linear transducer 12 MHz Frequency on both front and hind limbs in full weight bearing. Measurements of tendons and ligaments such as the superficial digital flexor tendon, deep digital flexor tendon, and suspensory ligament were done in both sagittal and transverse view. Transverse ultrasonography was made to get the measurements such as thickness, width, and cross-sectional area of tendons and ligaments. Echogenicity and fibrillary pattern of tendons and ligaments were assessed in longitudinal images. In the front and hind limbs, the greatest width of digital flexor tendons and suspensory ligament was related to the front joints while the greatest thickness was related to the digital flexor tendons and suspensory ligament in the hind joints. As the results in the present study revealed, no significant differences were found between the amounts of the left and right front and hind limbs of sound Darehshori horses. In conclusion, this study provides thorough, in-depth knowledge of the normal ultrasound measurements of the tendon and ligaments in the fetlock joints.

Keywords

Main Subjects

  1. Vali R, Borazgani K. Some radiological measurements from the front hooves of normal Dareh-shori horses with relevance to hoof balance. Iranian Journal of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. 2016; 10(2): 83-89.
  2. Rantanen NW, Genovese RL, Gaines R. The use of diagnostic ultrasound to detect structural damage to the soft tissues of the extremities of horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 1983; 3: 134-135.
  3. Denoix JM. Functional anatomy of tendons and ligaments in the distal limbs (manus and pes).Veterinary Clinics of North America Equine Practice. 1994; 10(2): 273-322.
  4. Mohammad MB, Gohary WS, El-Glil AIA. Ultrasonographic Anatomy of the Fetlock in Draught Horses. Iranian Journal of Veterinary Surgery. 2008; 3(1): 9-18.
  5. Nazem MN, Sajjadian SM. Anatomic assessment of tendons and ligaments of palmar surface of metacarpus in Anatoly donkey and its comparison with horse. Journal of Veterinary Research. 2015; 70(4): 419-424.
  6. Alzola R, Easter C, Riggs CM, Gardner DS, Freeman SL. Ultrasonographic-based predictive factors influencing successful return to racing after superficial digital flexor tendon injuries in flat racehorses: A retrospective cohort study in 469 Thoroughbred racehorses in Hong Kong. Equine Veterinary Journal. 2018; 50: 602-608.
  7. Domingo RA, Riggs CM, Gardner DS, Freeman SL. Ultrasonographic scoring system for superficial digital flexor tendon injuries in horses: intra-and inter-rater variability. Veterinary Record. 2017; 181(24): 655.
  8. Ge XJ, Zhang L, Xiang G, Hu YC, Lun DX. Cross-Sectional Area Measurement Techniques of Soft Tissue: A Literature Review. Orthopaedic Surgery. 2020; 12(6): 1547-1566.
  9. Hauser ML, Rantanen NW. Ultrasound appearance of the palmar metacarpal soft tissues of the horse. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 1983; 3: 19-22.
  10. Rantanen NW, Genovese RL, Gaines R. The use of diagnostic ultrasound to detect structural damage to the soft tissues of the extremities of horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 1983; 3: 134-135.
  11. Reef AB. Musculoskeletal. In: Equine Diagnostic Ultrasound. 1st edn. W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia. 1998; 39-186.
  12. Ge XJ, Zhang L, Xiang G, Hu YC, Lun DX. Cross-sectional area measurement techniques of soft tissue: a literature review. Orthopaedic Surgery. 2020; 12(6): 1547-1566.
  13. Genovese RL, Rantanen NW, Hauser ML, Simpson BS. Diagnostic ultrasound of equine limbs. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice. 1986; 2: 145-226.
  14. Smith RKW, Jones R, Webbon PM. The cross-sectional areas of normal equine digital flexor tendons determined ultrasonographically. Equine Veterinary Journal. 1994; 26; 460-465.
  15. Spinella G, Loprete G, Castagnetti C, Musella V, Antonelli C, Vilar JM, Britti D, Capitani O, Valentini S. Evaluation of mean echogenicity of tendons and ligaments of the metacarpal region in neonatal foals: A preliminary study. Research in Veterinary Science. 2015; 101: 11-14.
  16. Van den Belt AJM. Ultrasonography of equine flexor tendons and ligaments, Universiteit Utrecht, Fakulteit der Diergeneeskunde. 1995; 9-70.
  17. Whitcomb MB. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the metacarpus, metatarsus and pastern. Clinical Techniques in Equine Practice. 2004; 3: 238-255.
  18. Digiovanni DL, Rademacher N, Riggs LM. Baumruck RA, Gaschen L. Dynamic sonography of the equine metacarpo (tarso) phalangeal digital flexor tendon sheath. Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound. 2016; 57(6): 621-629.
  19. Cuesta I, Riber C, Pinedo M, Gata JA, Castejon F. Ultrasonographic measurement of metacarpal tendon and ligament structures in the horse. Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound. 1995; 36: 131-136.
  20. Celimli N, Seyrek-Intas D, Kaya M. Morphometric measurements of flexor tendons and ligaments in Arabian horses by ultrasonographic examination and comparison with other breeds. Equine Veterinary Education. 2004; 16: 81-85.
  21. Tanahill VJ. Diagnosis of digital flexor tendon sheath conditions in the horse. UK-Vet Equine. 2021; 5(1): 24-31.
  22. Korosue K, Endo Y, Murase H, Ishimaru M, Nambo Y, Sato F. The cross-sectional area changes in digital flexor tendons and suspensory ligament in foals by ultrasonographic examination. Equine Veterinary Journal. 2015; 47(5): 548-52.
  23. Spinella G, Valentini S, Pitti L, Carrillo JM, Rubio M, Sopena J, Santana A, Vilar JM. Ultrasonographic evaluation of cross-sectional area of tarsal ligaments in Standardbred trotter horses. Journal of Applied Animal Research. 2018; 46(1): 915-919.
  24. Vosugh D, Nazem MN, Lahuti S. Anatomy and ultrasonographic morphometric measurements of palmar metacarpal tendons and ligaments in pure Persian Arabian horses. Anatomical Sciences. 2019; 16(2): 77-86.
  25. Padaliya NR, Ranpariya JJ, Kumar D, Javia CB, Barvalia DR. Ultrasonographic assessment of the equine palmar tendons. Veterinary World. 2015; 8(2): 208-212.
  26. Reyes-Bossa B, Medina-Ríos H, Cardona-Álvarez JA. Evaluation of morphometric measures of tendons and metacarpal ligaments by ultrasonography in Colombian creole horses. Revista MVZ Cordoba. 2020; 25(2): 1-10.