(D2) Disorders of the Muscular System of Horses

tendon damage aka

Soft Tissue Lameness

define tendon (3)

1. attachment of muscle to bone.

2. Run in longitudinal bundles which gives strength.

3. Have good strength and elasticity

define ligament (3)

1. attachment of bone to bone

2. Less flexible than tendons

3. Can also support soft-tissue structures like the uterus

define tendon sheath (2)

1. wraps around tendon

2. Contains synovial fluids and aids in protection

define bursa (2)

1. sac between tendon and bone

2. Allows the tendon to glide over the bone

define joint cavity

space between two or more bones that is lined with a synovial membrane

define Thoroughpin (3)

1. swelling above and at caudal aspect of hock

2. DDFT sheath as it passes over the hock

3. Considered a blemish

define bog spavin

swelling in the hock joint.

define wind puffs

fluid swelling of the palmar/plantar aspect of fetlock joint

whats wrong

wind puffs

define Bowed Tendon

strain of the SDFT or DDFT on the palmar or plantar aspect of the MC or MT bones

define curb (2)

1. inflammation and thickening of the plantar tarsal ligament of the hock.

2. A swelling of the plantar aspect of the hock is seen

whats wrong

curb

what causes tendon damage (excluding list of stressors) (12)

1. Excessive exercise when unfit

2. Trauma

3. hard or uneven ground

4. Slipping

5. Landing a jump

6. Muscle fatigue 

7. Improper bandaging!!

8. Deep footing

9. deep sand

10. Long in toe of hoof

11. increased strain on the DDFT

12. stressors

what stressors cause tendon damage (6)

1. uneven or muddy

2. slipping

3. landing

4. fatigue

5. improper wraps

6. long toes

define Tendonitis

Mild strain and involves tendon structures but not sheath

define Tenosynovitis

Inflammation of both the tendon and the tendon sheath

define Tendon rupture

Tendon fibers rupture

what the most severe tendon injury

Tendon fibers rupture

clinical signs of tendon damage

1. 
   

why are most tendon injuries in the front limbs?

due to them bearing more weight

clinical signs of tendon damage (3ish)

1. Slight to pronounced lameness

2. Slight to extreme swelling

3. Slight to extreme heat

how to diagnose tendon damage (3)

1. Based on clinical signs

2. Manually palpate tendons

3. diagnostic ultrasound

how to treat tendon damage in the first 48 hrs (5)

1. Rest

2. Cold therapy, 20-30 minutes at a time

3. Support bandaging

4. NSAIDs

5. DMSO (Dimethylsulfoxide)

what is the goal of treatment in the first 48 hrs

to reduce the inflammation and prevent further inflammation

how to treat tendon damage in the long term (5)

1. Rest

2. Cold therapy, 20-30 minutes at a time

3. Support bandaging

4. NSAIDs

5. DMSO (Dimethylsulfoxide)

6. hand walking

7. Stem cell

8. Platelet rich plasma therapy

9. U/S therapy

10. Legend

11. Adequan

12. Laser therapy

13. Shock wave