Ultrasonographic evaluation and long term follow‐up of flexor tendonitis/desmitis in the metacarpal/metatarsal region in Dutch warmblood horses and standardbred racehorses

Over a 2 year-period, the ultrasonographic localization and distribution of flexor tendinous and ligamentous injuries, the long-term follow-up, and the outcome were studied in 101 Dutch Warmblood horses (DW) with a mean age of 8.7 years and in 71 Standardbred racehorses (ST) with a mean age of 5.2 years. The ratio between forelimb and hind limb flexor tendonitis/desmitis in the DW-group was 4:1 and in the ST-group group 4:3. In the DW-group, tendonitis/desmitis of the suspensory ligament (32%), the superficial digital flexor tendon (29%), the distal carpal check ligament (17%) of the forelimb (SLf, SDFf, and CL, respectively) and the suspensory ligament (11%) of the hind limb (SLh) occurred the most often. In the ST-group, tendonitis of the SDFf (34%) and desmitis of the SLh (34%) and SLf (18%) were the most common injuries. Of the 60 Dutch Warmblood horses available for follow-up, 25% showed full-functional recovery. Of the 61 Standardbreds available for follow-up, 18% showed full-functional recovery. Overall, local axial lesions seemed to have a worse prognosis than local abaxial or diffusive lesions.