DOI
https://doi.org/10.18849/ve.v4i3.234Abstract
PICO question
In horses with superficial digital flexor tendonitis is bandaging and rest compared to rest alone more effective at promoting healing?
Clinical bottom line
There is currently a lack of scientific evidence to suggest that bandaging promotes effective tendon healing following injury. However, rigid bandages significantly limit lesion propagation in equine superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendinopathies. The result of this PICO question suggests that a short period (ten days) of cast immobilisation during the initial inflammatory phase of the injury improves prognosis by limiting lesion propagation. The level of confidence in the outcomes from the body of evidence in the four studies identified is moderate.
References
Alzola, R., Riggs, C.M., Gardner, D.S., and Freeman, S.L. (2017). “Ultrasonographic scoring system for superficial digital flexor tendon injuries in horses: Intra- and inter- rater variability”. Vet Rec 181(24): 1– DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vr.104233
Alzola, R., Easter, C., Riggs, C.M., Gardner, D.S., and Freeman, S.L. (2018). "Ultrasonographic-based predictive factors influencing successful return to racing after superficial digital flexor tendon injuries in flat racehorses: A retrospective cohort study in 469 Thoroughbred racehorses in Hong Kong." Equine Vet J 50(5): 602– DOI: 10.1111/evj.12810
Aspenberg, P. (2007). "Stimulation of tendon repair: mechanical loading, GDFs and platelets. A mini-review." Int Orthop 31(6): 783– DOI: 10.1007/s00264-007-0398-6
Bartel, D.L., Schryver, H.F., Lowe, J.E., and Parker, R.A. (1978). "Locomotion in the horse: a procedure for computing the internal forces in the digit." Am J Vet Res 39(11): 1721–
Bosch, G., Lameris, M.C., van den Belt, A.J., Barneveld, A., and van Weeren, P.R. (2010). "The propagation of induced tendon lesions in the equine superficial digital flexor tendon: an ex vivo study." Equine Vet J 42(5): 407– DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00099.x
Buckwalter, J.A. (1995). "Should bone, soft-tissue, and joint injuries be treated with rest or activity?" J Orthop Res 13(2): 155– DOI: 10.1002/jor.1100130202
Christensen, B., Dyrberg, E., Aagaard, P., Kjaer, M., and Langberg, H. (2008). "Short-term immobilization and recovery affect skeletal muscle but not collagen tissue turnover in humans." J Appl Physiol (1985) 105(6): 1845– DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.90445.2008
Cribb, A.M. and Scott, J.E. (1995). "Tendon response to tensile stress: an ultrastructural investigation of collagen:proteoglycan interactions in stressed tendon." J Anat 187(Pt 2): 423–
David, F., Cadby, J., Bosch, G., Brama, P., van Weeren, R., and van Schie, H. (2012). "Short-term cast immobilisation is effective in reducing lesion propagation in a surgical model of equine superficial digital flexor tendon injury." Equine Vet J 44(5): 570– DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00513.x
Dowling, B.A., Dart, A.J., Hodgson, D.R., and Smith, R.K., (2000). "Superficial digital flexor tendonitis in the horse." Equine Vet J 32(5): 369– DOI: https://doi.org/10.2746/042516400777591138
Kannus, P., Parkkari, J., Jarvinen, T.L., Jarvinen, T.A., and Jarvinen, M. (2003). "Basic science and clinical studies coincide: active treatment approach is needed after a sports injury." Scand J Med Sci Sports 13(3): 150– DOI: https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0838.2003.02225.x
Kicker, C.J., Peham, C., Girtler, D., and Licka, T. (2004). "Influence of support boots on fetlock joint angle of the forelimb of the horse at walk and trot." Equine Vet J 36(8): 769– DOI: https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164044848208
Leadbetter, W.B. (1992). "Cell-matrix response in tendon injury." Clin Sports Med 11(3): 533–
Mehallo, C.J., Drezner, J.A., and Bytomski, J.R. (2006). "Practical management: nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) use in athletic injuries." Clin J Sport Med 16(2): 170– DOI: 10.1097/00042752-200603000-00015
Nabeshima, Y., Grood, E.S., Sakurai, A., and Herman, J.H. (1996). "Uniaxial tension inhibits tendon collagen degradation by collagenase in vitro." J Orthop Res 14(1): 123– DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jor.1100140120
Palmer, S.E., Genovese, R., Longo, K.L., Goodman, N., and Dyson, S. (1994). "Practical management of superficial digital flexor tendinitis in the performance horse." Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 10(2): 425– DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-0739(17)30363-2
Shoemaker, R.S., Bertone, A.L., Mohammad, L.N., and Arms, S.W. (1991). "Desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor muscle in equine cadaver limbs." Vet Surg 20(4): 245– DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.1991.tb01254.x
Smith, R.K., McGuigan, M.P., Hyde, J.T., Daly, A.S., Pardoe, C.H., Lock, A.N., and Wilson, A.M. (2002). "In vitro evaluation of nonrigid support systems for the equine metacarpophalangeal joint." Equine Vet J 34(7): 726– DOI: https://doi.org/10.2746/042516402776250423
Yasuda, K. and Hayashi, K. (1999). "Changes in biomechanical properties of tendons and ligaments from joint disuse." Osteoarthritis Cartilage 7(1): 122– DOI: 10.1053/joca.1998.0167
License
Veterinary Evidence uses the Creative Commons copyright Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. That means users are free to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format. Remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially - with the appropriate citation.
Most read articles by the same author(s)
- H. G. R. Clough, John Burford, Amanda Roshier, Gary England, Sarah Louise Freeman, A scoping review of the current literature exploring the nature of the horse-human relationship , Veterinary Evidence: Vol. 4 No. 4 (2019): The fourth issue of 2019
