Monitoring of the repair process of surgically created lesions in equine superficial digital flexor tendons by use of computerized ultrasonography.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate quantitative ultrasonography for objective monitoring of the healing process and prognostication of repair quality in equine superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendons.


METHODS
6 horses with standardized surgical lesions in SDF tendons of both forelimbs.


METHODS
Healing was monitored for 20 weeks after surgery by use of computerized ultrasonography. Pixels were categorized as C (intact fasciculi), B (incomplete fasciculi), E (accumulations of cells and fibrils), or N (homogenous fluid or cells). Four scars with the best quality of repair (repair group) and 4 scars with the lowest quality (inferior repair group) were identified histologically. Ratios for C, B, E, and N in both groups were compared.


RESULTS
During 4 weeks after surgery, lesions increased 2- to 4-fold in length and 10-fold in volume. Until week 3 or 4, structure-related C and B ratios decreased sharply, whereas E and N ratios increased. After week 4, C and B ratios increased with gradually decreasing E and N ratios. At week 12, C and B ratios were equivalent. After week 12, C ratio increased slowly, but B ratio more rapidly. At week 20, C ratio remained constant, B ratio was substantially increased, and E and N ratios decreased. Values for the inferior repair group were most aberrant from normal. Ratios for C differed significantly between repair and inferior repair groups at weeks 16 and 18 and for B beginning at 14 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Computerized ultrasonography provided an excellent tool for objective monitoring of healing tendons in horses and reliable prognostication of repair quality.
van Schie
Hans T M
HT
Departments of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Bakker
Erwin M
EM
Cherdchutham
Worakij
W
Jonker
A Mieke
AM
van de Lest
Chris H A
CH
van Weeren
P René
PR
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000662:veterinary*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*