- This forum has 1 topic, and was last updated 2 years ago by
.
Viewing topic 1 (of 1 total)
-
- Topic
- Voices
- Posts
- Last Post
Viewing topic 1 (of 1 total)
- You must be logged in to create new topics.
Inferior Check Ligament Desmitis
Inferior Check Ligament Desmitis
Introduction
The inferior check ligament (ICL) is properly referred to as the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor (ALDDF) tendon. But ICL is much easier to remember. In the front leg it is a substantial structure originating off the back of the knee as a continuation of the common ligament of the carpus and it continues distally just under the deep digital flexor tendon with which it joins in the middle third of the cannon. The structure is much less robust in the rear limb.
The ICL helps the DDF from over-stretching by helping to carry load when the fetlock and coffin joint are in maximal extension. This is seen just prior to breakover. Hyper-extension or these joints, like seen during the landing after a jump, are the cause of acute desmitis of the ICL. There are also some poorly understood chronic conditions of the ICL. This article describes diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of these diseases of the ICL.
Acute Check Ligament Desmitis
Diagnosis
There usually is an acute onset of moderate to severe lameness during exercise. Horses pulling up lame after a jump or following a stumble are suspect for this problem. Swelling develops fairly quickly in the upper third of the back of the cannon and may appear as swelling around the DDF, making differential difficult from palpation alone. However, injury to the DDF in this region is uncommon.
Occasionally a more insidious onset occurs that improves with rest but worsens with exercise. Swelling is minimal and pain may be difficult to detect. The ICL becomes suspect when nerve blocks eliminate everything from the fetlock down but a high cannon block alleviates the lameness.
In the acute and insidious cases ultrasound will confirm injury to the ICL. The ICL should be compared with the opposite leg and signs of involvement include enlargement, loss of definition of the borders, or hypoechoic or irregular areas within the ligament.
Treatment and Prognosis
Acute injuries treated with anti-inflammatory therapy, wrapping to control swelling, stall rest, and controlled walking once the acute inflammation subsides for three months have a good prognosis. Though three months may seem like a long time compared with other similar injuries, horses put back to work sooner with confirmed ICL lesions often have recurrence of lameness. Continued work and delay of stall rest may result in further damage with concurrent damage to the DDF or adhesions forming to the surrounding soft tissues and a permanent lameness.
Chronic Check Ligament Desmitis
To read more on this topic become a member of Horseadvice.com! Your membership gets you instant access to this and over 600 equine articles on our site. Other benefits of your membership include participation in our discussion boards and access to our one button PubMed search tool for each topic.
Horseadvice.com educates you to be a more knowledgeable horse owner which leads to healthier horses and save you money, we guarantee it. Come Join Us!