title: Comminuted fracture of the distal sesamoid bone and distal rupture of the deep digital flexor tendon.
abstract: A 10-year-old show jumper was evaluated for an acute severe lameness (grade 4 of 5) of the right foreleg. During weight bearing, the toe of the affected limb rotated dorsally suggesting rupture of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT). Upon radiographic examination of the hoof, a severe erosion at the flexor surface and a parasagittal fracture of the distal sesamoid bone were found. Ultrasonographic examination confirmed rupture of the DDFT. These findings were confirmed on post-mortem examination. Prior to the acute lameness, the horse was treated with corticosteroid injections into the podotrochlear bursa. Repeated intra-bursal injections of corticosteroids as a possible cause for DDFT rupture are discussed as well as the possible association between a degenerative distal sesamoid bone, a distal sesamoid bone fracture and a DDFT rupture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging of Domestic Animals, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. hoegaerts@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hoegaerts
authors.forename: Frederik
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pille
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: De Clercq
authors.forename: Ian C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Fulton
authors.forename: Jimmy H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Saunders
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries*; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000209:etiology; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal; D011859:Radiography; D012421:Rupture / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary; D012716:Sesamoid Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*