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  Discussion on Research Study: 2 Year Study of Tendons In NH Racehorses
Author Message
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 - 2:41 am:

It was not surprising that different training methods had different rates of injury. It was disappointing however that regular ultrasonography did not help indentify those individuals at risk of SDF tendonitis. Current theories are that the tendon first undergoes subclinical damage that accumulates overtime before a catastrophic breakdown. It has become common in some yards to routinely US individuals to try and get a handle on those at risk. Perhaps the time interval in this study was a bit large but further work will need to be done.
DrO


Equine Vet J. 2009 May;41(5):449-54.
Ultrasonographic assessment of the superficial digital flexor tendons of National Hunt racehorses in training over two racing seasons.

Avella CS, Ely ER, Verheyen KL, Price JS, Wood JL, Smith RK.

Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: It is important to ascertain the prevalence of superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injuries and to improve methods of predicting injury in National Hunt (NH) racehorses. OBJECTIVES: To establish: 1) the prevalence of SDFT tendinopathy in NH horses; 2) whether routine ultrasonography can be used to predict SDFT injuries; 3) whether previous tendinopathy predisposes to reinjury; 4) a normal range for the SDFT cross-sectional area (CSA); and 5) the effects of gender, age, background (ex-flat or ex-store), limb, training and rest periods on SDFT CSA. METHODS: Routine ultrasound assessment of the palmar metacarpal soft tissues of 263 NH racehorses was performed on up to 6 occasions over 2 NH racing seasons. RESULTS: The prevalence of SDFT pathology detected using ultrasonography was 24% (n = 148), with a nonsignificant variation between yards of 10-40%. No changes in SDFT CSA or ultrasonographic appearance were detected prior to injury. Older horses had a significantly higher prevalence of SDFT pathology compared to younger horses, and horses with tendinopathy were more likely to suffer an acute injury compared to horses with no evidence of pathology. A reference range for normal CSA measurements was established as 77-139 mm2 at level 4, from 142 horses with no ultrasonographic evidence of SDFT pathology. The CSA of normal horses did not vary significantly with age, limb or over 2 racing seasons, but did with sex and background. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms that SDFT tendinopathy is common in NH horses, with substantial variation between training yards. Ultrasonography at 3 month intervals did not seem to predict acute SDFT injuries. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Variation in the prevalence of tendinopathy between yards suggests that training methods may influence injury rate. It was not possible to predict injury using routine ultrasonography and therefore other methods must be identified. A normal reference range for SDFT CSA is provided.
Member:
shanson

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 - 6:04 am:

Could an MRI detect subclinical signs?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 - 5:28 pm:

Sharon, it would require study to know and as a practical matter currently MRI's would be restrictively expensive as a regularly used scanning tool for the majority of training barns.
DrO
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