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  Discussion on Any info on Dalmar tendon support boots?
Author Message
Member:
Kjthoma

Posted on Sunday, Jul 10, 2005 - 8:50 pm:

I have a horse that has an older hind suspensory injury (we just found it after having some resistance issues)...

We are going to start shockwave therapy - and I had been wondering about additional support during healing.

These look 'reasonable' - e.g. a support that you can gradually dial the support level down as the horse heals.

Anybody have any info? Does this sound logical/valid?

https://www.simviation.com/dalmar/treatment.htm
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jul 11, 2005 - 6:59 am:

I have heard of the Dalmer support boots and the reports are encouraging that they really do decrease load on the tendon and suspensory. However there are no studies on whether horses actually have improved healing rates with its use and under what conditions (severity, acute vs chronic, etc..). Here is the conclusion of the one study on the boots that I can find published:

Equine Vet J. 2002 Nov;34(7):726-31.
In vitro evaluation of nonrigid support systems for the equine metacarpophalangeal joint.

Smith RK, McGuigan MP, Hyde JT, Daly AS, Pardoe CH, Lock AN, Wilson AM.

Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, UK.

Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint extension is primarily resisted by the digital flexor tendons and suspensory ligament. A variety of external support techniques are used to protect these supporting structures from or after injury by resisting MCP joint extension, although not all are effective and/or practical for use in an exercising horse. In this study, 7 forelimbs were loaded in vitro to determine the effect of a simple gamgee bandage, a 3-layered bandage with and without a contoured palmar splint, a neoprene exercise boot, and an innovative carbon fibre composite exercise boot (Dalmar tendon support boot). There was no significant resistance to MCP joint extension by the gamgee or neoprene exercise boot. The 3-layered bandage had a significant (P<0.01)> or = 245 degrees, and when combined with the contoured splint at angles of > or = 230 degrees. The Dalmar tendon support boot resisted MCP extension at angles of > or = 245 degrees (settings 1 and 2) and > or = 225 degrees (setting 3). These data demonstrate that the contoured splint and the Dalmar tendon support boot (which is also easily fitted for use during exercise) are useful for the management of tendon/ligament injury and during rehabilitation.

DrO
Member:
Imogen

Posted on Monday, Jul 11, 2005 - 9:56 am:

Oh cool. I'm going to be bringing back into work a horse with this type of injury in a month or so, and will definitely consider these boots after consulting my vet.

Imogen
Member:
Kjthoma

Posted on Monday, Jul 11, 2005 - 8:38 pm:

Unfortunately - I just found out from the company that these won't be commercially available till later in the year....
Member:
Imogen

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005 - 7:18 am:

Yup, I got the same reply, but in fairness to them I got an email back same day saying they will keep my information on file and email me when they are available. And it's an Irish company...

Best wishes

Imogen
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