title: Desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon in the forelimb of 24 horses 2 years and older.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report outcome after desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (ALDDFT) in adult horses (≥2 years) for treatment of desmitis of the ALDDFT or flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint (FDDIJ).
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Horses with desmitis of the ALDDFT (n=9) and FDDIJ (n=15).
  
  
  METHODS
  Records (April 1996-July 2008) of 24 adult horses (mean age, 6.7 years) that had ALDDFT desmotomy were reviewed. Follow-up data was obtained 12-120 months after desmotomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Outcome was available for 22 horses; 18 (82%; 6 of 8 horses with desmitis of the ALDDFT and 12 of 14 with FDDIJ) returned to their intended use within 6-24 months (mean, 12 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In mature horses, ALDDFT desmotomy resulted in successful return to intended use in most horses with ALDDFT desmitis (75%) or FDDIJ (86%).
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA. syiannikouris@vetmed.wsu.edu
authors.forename: Stavros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yiannikouris
authors.forename: Robert K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Sarah N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Sampson
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005552:Forelimb / Q000601:surgery*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D007794:Lameness, Animal; D008297:Male; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome