Factors affecting the clinical outcome of injuries to the superficial digital flexor tendon in National Hunt and point-to-point racehorses
Marr, C.M.; Love, S.; Boyd, J.S.; McKellar, Q.
Veterinary Record 132(19): 476-479
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 8506599 Document Number: 419930
Ultrasonographic examination was used to define the severity of injuries to the superficial digital flexor tendon in 73 National Hunt or point-to-point racehorses and the factors affecting the outcome of the cases were examined. 34 of the horses (46%) returned to work with an average time out of training of 13.5 months. The rate of recurrence of the injury was 35%. The severity of the lesions was related to the outcome; all the mildly affected horses returned to work, with 63% of them racing and an average time out of training of 10.2 months; 50% of the moderately affected horses returned to work, and 30% raced with an average time out of training of 11.3 months; 30% of the severely affected horses worked, and 23% raced with an average time out of training of 18.3 months. The differences in outcome between unilateral and bilateral injuries within each severity group were not significant. 76% of horses treated with polysulfated glycosaminoglycans returned to work, compared with 46% of conservatively managed horses and 50% of horses treated with laser therapy. However, these differences were not significant and the rate of recurrence of the injury in the horses treated with polysulfated glycosaminoglycans was 50% compared with only 31% in the conservatively managed horses. 70% of the mares and 47% of the geldings were retired from racing.