Tenoscopic surgical treatment of tears of the manica flexoria in 53 horses.
Authors: Findley Judith Alice, De Oliveira Fil, Bladon Bruce
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Manica Flexoria Tears in Horses: Tenoscopic Surgical Outcomes Tears of the manica flexoria—the fibrous band connecting the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons—represent a significant but understudied soft tissue injury in horses. Findley, De Oliveira and Bladon reviewed 53 horses (65 tears) treated via tenoscopic surgical resection between 2001 and 2011, finding that cobs and ponies were disproportionately affected and that hindlimb injuries predominated at 85% of cases, with digital flexor tendon sheath effusion present in all affected horses. Following surgery, 79% of horses returned to their pre-injury level of ridden exercise, with a further 13% managing reduced work; only three horses remained persistently lame and one was euthanatised. The strong return-to-function rate supports tenoscopic resection as an effective surgical intervention, though the breed predisposition and consistent association with flexor sheath involvement suggests these horses may warrant closer monitoring of limb biomechanics and shoeing strategies in the months following recovery.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Tenoscopic surgical resection offers good prognosis for return to work in manica flexoria tears, with 4 in 5 horses resuming pre-injury activity levels
- •Watch for digital flexor tendon sheath effusion in hindlimb cases, especially in cobs and ponies—it is a consistent sign of manica flexoria injury
- •Owners should be counselled that while most horses recover functionally, some may not return to their original level of performance
Key Findings
- •53 horses with 65 manica flexoria tears were treated tenioscopically with 79% returning to pre-injury athletic function
- •85% of injuries occurred in hindlimbs, predominantly affecting cobs and ponies
- •Digital flexor tendon sheath effusion was present in all cases of manica flexoria tears
- •7 horses returned to reduced exercise levels, 3 remained lame, and 1 was euthanized