Desmitis of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon in the forelimb: A retrospective case study of 91 horses

Abstract

Background: Desmitis of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (ALDDFT) is a commonly reported injury. Despite the commonality of this injury, the literature is limited to small case series, with the reported success following treatment varying from 18% to 75%. Objectives: To identify the prognosis and factors associated with a return to work following ALDDFT injury. Study design: Retrospective case series. Methods: Medical records of horses from four equine hospitals (January 2000 and December 2018) with a diagnosis of desmitis of ALDDFT were reviewed. Data retrieved included case detail, use, history, lameness treatment and follow-up. Success was defined as returning to work. Backward stepwise logistic regression was used to identify variables significantly associated with return to work. Results: Ninety-one horses were included. The mean age was 13.5 years (standard deviation 4.9 years). Thirty-four percent (28/91) of horses were sound at the initial presentation. Sixty-eight percent (62/91) of horses were managed using controlled exercise alone, 28% (29/91) were treated with intra-lesional injection, therapeutic ultrasound, extracorporeal shockwave therapy or desmectomy of the ALDDFT and 3% (3/91) were euthanased without treatment. Sixty-four percent (54/85) of horses returned to work. Horses that were lame at follow-up were less likely to return to work (odds ratio [OR] 107.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 20.06–580.61, p < 0.001) than those that returned to soundness. Identification of adhesions on ultrasonography was also associated with having reduced odds for return to work when compared to horses without adhesions (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.01–0.76, p = 0.03). Main limitations: Retrospective nature of the study, the potential of selection bias with regards to follow-up. Conclusion: Sixty-four percent (54/85) of horses returned to work following injury of the ALDDFT. Persistence of lameness and adhesion formation were significantly associated with a poor outcome.