title: Medical treatment of horses with deep digital flexor tendon injuries diagnosed with high-field-strength magnetic resonance imaging: 118 cases (2000-2010).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the location and severity of deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) lesions diagnosed by means of high-field-strength MRI in horses and to identify variables associated with return to activity following medical treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  118 horses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of horses with DDFT injury diagnosed with MRI over a 10-year period (2000-2010) and treated medically (intrasynovial administration of corticosteroids and sodium hyaluronan, rest and rehabilitation, or both) were reviewed. History, signalment, use, results of lameness examination and diagnostic local anesthesia, MRI findings, and treatment details were recorded. Outcome was obtained by telephone interview or follow-up examination. Horses were grouped by predictor variables and analyzed with logistic regression to identify significant effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, of 97 horses available for follow-up (median time to follow-up, 5 years; range, 1 to 12 years), 59 (61%) returned to activity for a mean duration of 22.6 months (median, 18 months; range, 3 to 72 months), with 25 (26%) still sound at follow-up. Of horses with mild, moderate, and severe injury, 21 of 29 (72%), 20 of 36 (56%), and 18 of 32 (56%), respectively, returned to use. Horses treated with intrasynovial corticosteroid injection and 6 months of rest and rehabilitation returned to use for a significantly longer duration than did horses treated without rest. Western performance horses returned to use for a significantly longer duration than did English performance horses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of the present study suggested that outcome for horses with DDFT injuries treated medically depended on injury severity, presence of concurrent injury to other structures in the foot, type of activity, and owner compliance with specific treatment recommendations. Although some horses successfully returned to prior activity, additional treatment options are needed to improve outcome in horses with severe injuries and to improve long-term prognosis.
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Lutter
authors.forename: Robert K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Sarah N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Sampson
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cary
authors.forename: Greg D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Christopher I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Vahl
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries*; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077555:Methylprednisolone Acetate; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D055675:Viscosupplements / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D055675:Viscosupplements; D000077555:Methylprednisolone Acetate; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D008775:Methylprednisolone