Evaluation of the Pathology in the Distal part of thoracic limb in horses on Ultrasound exam

Abstract

The problem of a massive and effective examination of horses for the purpose of early detection of tendon injuries is very urgent. The pathologies of the tendons cause considerable economic damage: despite the fact that the period of treatment and restoration of working capacity lasts for up to a year, not all horses return to training after trauma. Clinical, anatomical and histological observations have repeatedly confirmed that ultrasound diagnostics has a great potential in detecting morphological changes in tendons and tendon structures. According to statistics, the greatest percentage of injuries of tendons occur during periods of preparation and during competitions. It is recommended to conduct ultrasound scans for sports horses: before participating in competitions, if the competition lasts several days, preferably throughout the competition, after the competition. Increasing physical activity is recommended to be carried out under the supervision of ultrasound scanning, especially when training young animals, as well as the appearance of even minor clinical signs like a pain reaction. Damage to the interosseous third muscle, superficial flexor of the finger, deep flexor of the finger is not diagnosed infrequently. Rare detection of such injuries is associated with the complexity of visual diagnostics of these structures. Ultrasonic diagnostics with independent application has established itself as a method that provides valuable objective information about the condition of the tendon-ligament apparatus of horses in those cases when other diagnostic methods do not provide an objective picture of the disease.