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  Discussion on Annular Ligament Constriction
Author Message
New Member:
sorscher

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 8, 2008 - 3:07 pm:

Hi Dr Oglesby,

My Morab gelding, age 17, is suspected to have constriction of the annular ligament (front left) following an SDF tendon injury from March 2006. The vet has not confirmed this by nerve block yet (he planned to recently but was foiled by an open submandibular abcess) but has ruled out some other possibilities with radiographs. I have a couple of questions about what I've observed in my gelding with regards to annular ligament constriction:

His lameness seems more severe than your article and the existing discussions describe. He will not extend his front left leg past his right leg to take a step at any time. Is this degree of unsoundness atypical?

While there was heat all the way up his front leg when he initially became lame (one month ago), what very little heat remains seems localized right over his heel, is this to be expected?

If there were necrotic tissue in his tendon, would anything I could observe indicate its presence?

The gelding's lameness occurred immediately following his kicking out and taking off on the longe line during rehab. He literally went from sound at the trot to unable to walk in a matter of seconds - is this typical?

If I haven't provided enough background information, please let me know. I just didn't want to go on ad nauseum. Thank you so much for your help and for making all the information you do available online.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 9, 2008 - 6:38 am:

Welcome Natalie and thanks for the kudos,
Taking your questions one at a time:
1) Since the degree of constriction can vary and often other pathology (adhesions, flexor tendinitis, etc) is common a shortened weight bearing phase that relieves pressure on the flexor tendons is not inconsistent nor is it diagnostic.
2) I am not exactly sure what you mean by necrotic as this is not a common pathology of diseased tendons but in general ultrasound would be needed to visualize torn or diseased areas within tendons. A careful exam can lead to a high degree of suspicion of severe pathology but US is needed to confirm it.
3) There is little to be learned by such an event as it may exacerbate just about any lameness and may even create some new ones.

Though appearance and history often can direct the examination they are rarely enough to diagnose with any degree of assurity. The trick is to keep the localization systematic, though you have a suspected cause you are still at Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Localizing Lameness in the Horse.
DrO
New Member:
sorscher

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 9, 2008 - 11:41 pm:

Hey Dr O.,
Thank you for clarifying those points for me. I read in Adams' Lameness in Horses that necrosis of tissue in the tendon was a possibility w/ ligament constriction. I was wondering under what circumstances this might be suspected.

I have a question for you about this horse's abscess too, I'll find somewhere appropriate for it.

Thanks!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 - 6:11 am:

Though we have seen maybe a half dozen constricted annular ligaments over the years and some pretty bad but nothing approached causing necrosis of the tendon so I must assume this is a result of a severe prolonged condition.
DrO
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