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There are two flexor tendons running down the back of the limb, the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT). As their names suggest the DDFT runs below (deep) to the SDFT.
Sprain of the tendons usually occurs during exercise, especially towards the end of a race or event as the horse tires. The SDFT is more commonly damaged than the DDFT.
SDFT injuries usually occur in the middle portion of the canon bone, whereas the DDFT is usually damaged lower down, towards the fetlock joint or below. |
Signs:
Initially the horse will show a sudden, moderate to severe lameness with no swelling. Swelling then develops rapidly often producing a 'bow' appearance.
In some cases the injury may not be apparent for a day or two.
The lameness will usually respond very well to box rest. |
Diagnosis:
Although the history and examination of the leg are enough to make an initial diagnosis a tendon scan (ultrasound) should be performed to assess the extent of the injury and, therefore, provide better information on treatment and likely outcome.
Tendon scanning is often delayed until a few days after the injury occurred as the damaged tissue can be seen more easily and the extent of the injury more fully assessed.
Ultrasound is also used regularly during treatment to assess healing of the tendon. |
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Treatment:
Initially the horse should be placed on box rest and regular cold water hosing used to help reduce the swelling. A thick bandage can be applied to the affected leg and anti-inflammatory drugs, such as phenylbutazone, ('bute') used. During this acute stage fibrous tissue heals the damaged tendon.
Once this initial, acute, phase has finished the horse must continue rest. The rest here is called active box-rest as the horse needs to move around to help turn the fibrous tissue in the tendon to more normal elastic tissue (collagen).
The final stage is a controlled exercise program to bring the horse back into work.
As previously mentioned ultrasound scanning should be used to assess healing throughout the healing process due to the complexity of the healing.
The total time for horses to be out of work can be up to 18 months, the longer the time off the better to help prevent recurrence of the injury.
There are other treatments available to help maximize tendon repair, for example the injection of stem cells into the tendon, however, these are not used routinely in equine practice. |
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Lameness
