An investigation of the relationship between race performance and superficial digital flexor tendonitis in the Thoroughbred racehorse

Equine Veterinary Journal

Volumn 42, Issue 4, 2010, Pages 322-326

  O'meara, B ^a,b   Bladon, B ^b   Parkin, T D H ^a   Fraser, B ^c   Lischer, C J ^a  

^a FREIE UNIVERSITÄT BERLIN   (Germany)

^b Donnington Grove Veterinary Surgery   (United Kingdom)

^c Cambridge Equine Hospital   (New Zealand)

Author keywords

Horse; Performance; Racehorse; Superficial digital flexor tendonitis; Thoroughbred

Indexed keywords

ANIMAL; ANIMAL DISEASE; ARTICLE; HORSE; HORSE DISEASE; INJURY; PATHOLOGY; RUNNING; SPORT; TENDINITIS; TENDON; TENDON INJURY; TREATMENT OUTCOME;

ANIMALS; HORSE DISEASES; HORSES; RUNNING; SPORTS; TENDINOPATHY; TENDON INJURIES; TENDONS; TREATMENT OUTCOME;

CONGIOPODIDAE; EQUIDAE;

EID: 77952851133     PISSN: 04251644     EISSN: 20423306     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2009.00021.x     Document Type: Article

References (42)

1. Horses in Training 1997-2004, Anon, Raceform Publications, Newbury, UK
2. Racehorses in training database. British Horse Racing Statistics 2008, 34-40. Lingley G. Anon, In, Ed, Editorial Department, Weatherbys Thoroughbred Ltd, Wellingborough, UK, pp
3. Avella CS, Ely ER, Verheyen KL, Price JS, Wood JL, Smith RK. Ultrasonographic assessment of the superficial digital flexor tendons of National Hunt racehorses in training over two racing seasons. Equine vet. J. 2009, 41:449-454.
4. Butcher MT, Hermanson JW, Ducharme NG, Mitchell LM, Soderholm LV, Bertram JE. Superficial digital flexor tendon lesions in racehorses as a sequela to muscle fatigue: A preliminary study. Equine vet. J. 2007, 39:540-545.
5. Cheetham J, Pigott JH, Thorson LM, Mohammed HO, Ducharme NG. Racing performance following the laryngeal tie-forward procedure: A case-controlled study. Equine vet. J. 2008, 40:501-507.
6. Crevier-Denoix N, Ruel Y, Dardillat C, Jerbi H, Sanaa M, Collobert-Laugier C, Ribot X, Denoix JM, Pourcelot P. Correlations between mean echogenicity and material properties of normal and diseased equine superficial digital flexor tendons: An in vitro segmental approach. J. Biomech. 2005, 38:2212-2220.
7. Davis CS, Smith RK. Diagnosis and management of tendon and ligament disorders. Equine Surgery 2006, 1086-1111. Auer JA, Stick JA. In, 3rd, edn., Eds, Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis, pp
8. Dowling BA, Dart AJ. Mechanical and functional properties of the equine superficial digital flexor tendon. Vet. J. 2005, 170:184-192.
9. Dyson S. Treatment of superficial digital flexor tendonitis. Vet. Rec. 1996, 139:48.
10. Dyson SJ. Medical management of superficial digital flexor tendonitis: A comparative study in 219 horses (1992-2000). Equine vet. J. 2004, 36:415-419.
11. Ely ER, Avella CS, Price JS, Smith RKW, Wood JLN, Verheyen KLP. Descriptive epidemiology of fracture, tendon and suspensory ligament injuries in National Hunt racehorses in training. Equine vet. J. 2009, 41:372-378.
12. Estberg L, Gardner IA, Stover SM, Johnson S, Case JT, Ardens AA. Cumulative racing-speed exercise distance cluster as a risk factor for fatal musculoskeletal injury in Thoroughbred racehorses in California. Prev. vet. Med. 1995, 24:252-263.
13. Fulton IC, MacLean AA, O'Rielly JL, Church S. Superior check ligament desmotomy for treatment of superficial digital flexor tendonitis in thoroughbred and standardbred horses. Aust. vet. J. 1994, 71:233-235.
14. Gibson KT, Burbidge HM, Pfeiffer DU. Superficial digital flexor tendonitis in thoroughbred racehorses: Outcome following non-surgical treatment and superior check desmotomy. Aust. vet. J. 1997, 75:631-635.
15. Gillis C, Sharkey N, Stover SM, Pool RR, Meagher DM, Willits N. Effect of maturation and aging on material and ultrasonographic properties of equine superficial digital flexor tendon. Am. J. vet. Res. 1995, 56:1345-1350.
16. Goodship AE, Birch HL, Wilson AM. The pathobiology and repair of tendon and ligament injury. Vet. Clin. N. Am: Equine Pract. 1994, 10:323-349.
17. Hawkins JF, Ross MW. Transection of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor muscle for the treatment of superficial digital flexor tendinitis in standardbreds: 40 cases (1988-1992). J. Am. vet. med. Assoc. 1995, 206:674-678.
18. Hogan PM, Bramlage LR. Transection of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor tendon for treatment of tendinitis: Long term results in 61 standardbred racehorses (1985-1992). Equine vet. J. 1995, 27:221-226.
19. Jorgensen JS, Genovese RL. Superficial digital flexor tendonitis. Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse 2003, 628-644. Ross MW, Dyson SJ. In, Eds, Saunders, Philadelphia, pp
20. Kasashima Y, Takahashi T, Smith RK, Goodship AE, Kuwano A, Ueno T, Hirano S. Prevalence of superficial digital flexor tendonitis and suspensory desmitis in Japanese Thoroughbred flat racehorses in 1999. Equine vet. J. 2004, 36:346-350.
21. Lam KH, Parkin TD, Riggs CM, Morgan KL. Descriptive analysis of retirement of Thoroughbred racehorses due to tendon injuries at the Hong Kong Jockey Club (1992-2004). Equine vet. J. 2007a, 39:143-148.
22. Lam KK, Parkin TD, Riggs CM, Morgan KL. Evaluation of detailed training data to identify risk factors for retirement because of tendon injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses. Am. J. vet. Res. 2007b, 68:1188-1197.
23. Marr CM, Love S, Boyd JS, McKellar Q. Factors affecting the clinical outcome of injuries to the superficial digital flexor tendon in National Hunt and point-to-point racehorses. Vet. Rec. 1993, 132:476-479.
24. Meershoek LS, Schamhardt HC, Roepstorff L, Johnston C. Forelimb tendon loading during jump landings and the influence of fence height. Equine vet. J., Suppl. 2001, 33:6-10.
25. Mohammed HO, Hill T, Lowe J. The risk of severity of limb injuries in racing thoroughbred horses. Cornell Vet. 1992, 82:331-341.
26. Murray RC, Dyson SJ, Tranquille C, Adams V. Association of type of sport and performance level with anatomical site of orthopaedic injury diagnosis. Equine vet. J. Suppl. 2006, 36:411-416.
27. Pacini S, Spinabella S, Trombi L, Fazzi R, Galimberti S, Dini F, Carlucci F, Petrini M. Suspension of bone marrow-derived undifferentiated mesenchymal stromal cells for repair of superficial digital flexor tendon in racehorses. Tissue Eng. 2007, 13:2949-2955.
28. Parente EJ, Tulleners EP, Southwood LL. Long-term study of partial arytenoidectomy with primary mucosal closure in 76 Thoroughbred racehorses (1992-2006). Equine vet. J. 2008, 40:214-218.
29. Perkins NR, Reid SW, Morris RS. Profiling the New Zealand Thoroughbred racing industry. 2. Conditions interfering with training and racing. N. Z. vet. J. 2005a, 53:69-76.
30. Perkins NR, Reid SW, Morris RS. Risk factors for injury to the superficial digital flexor tendon and suspensory apparatus in Thoroughbred racehorses in New Zealand. N. Z. vet. J. 2005b, 53:184-192.
31. Pinchbeck GL, Clegg PD, Proudman CJ, Morgan KL, French NP. A prospective cohort study to investigate risk factors for horse falls in UK hurdle and steeplechase racing. Equine vet. J. 2004a, 36:595-601.
32. Pinchbeck GL, Clegg PD, Proudman CJ, Stirk A, Morgan KL, French NP. Horse injuries and racing practices in National Hunt racehorses in the UK: The results of a prospective cohort study. Vet. J. 2004b, 167:45-52.
33. Reardon RJ, Fraser BS, Heller J, Lischer C, Parkin T, Bladon BM. The use of race winnings, ratings and a performance index to assess the effect of thermocautery of the soft palate for treatment of horses with suspected intermittent dorsal displacement. A case-control study in 110 racing Thoroughbreds. Equine vet. J. 2008, 40:508-513.
34. Richardson LE, Dudhia J, Clegg PD, Smith R. Stem cells in veterinary medicine - attempts at regenerating equine tendon after injury. Trends Biotechnol. 2007, 25:409-416.
35. Singer ER, Barnes J, Saxby F, Murray JK. Injuries in the event horse: Training versus competition. Vet. J. 2008, 175:76-81.
36. Smith RK, Birch HL, Goodman S, Heinegard D, Goodship AE. The influence of ageing and exercise on tendon growth and degeneration - hypotheses for the initiation and prevention of strain-induced tendinopathies. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. A Mol. Integr. Physiol. 2002, 133:1039-1050.
37. Southwood LL, Stashak TS, Kainer RA, Wrigley RH. Desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor tendon in the horse with use of a tenoscopic approach to the carpal sheath. Vet. Surg. 1999, 28:99-105.
38. Takahashi T, Kasashima Y, Ueno Y. Association between race history and risk of superficial digital flexor tendon injury in Thoroughbred racehorses. J. Am. vet. med. Ass. 2004, 225:90-93.
39. Weller R, Pfau T, Verheyen K, May SA, Wilson AM. The effect of conformation on orthopaedic health and performance in a cohort of National Hunt racehorses: Preliminary results. Equine vet. J. 2006, 38:622-627.
40. Williams RB, Harkins LS, Hammond CJ, Wood JL. Racehorse injuries, clinical problems and fatalities recorded on British racecourses from flat racing and National Hunt racing during 1996, 1997 and 1998. Equine vet. J. 2001, 33:478-486.
41. Wilson AM, McGuigan MP, Su A, Bogert AJ. Horses damp the spring in their step. Nature 2001, 414:895-899.
42. Woodie JB, Ducharme NG, Kanter P, Hackett RP, Erb HN. Surgical advancement of the larynx (laryngeal tie-forward) as a treatment for dorsal displacement of the soft palate in horses: A prospective study 2001-2004. Equine vet. J. 2005, 37:418-423.