Kinetic Analysis in Horses With Deep Digital Flexor Tendinopathy Within the Digit Diagnosed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Authors: Madsen Lori M, Gutierrez-Nibeyro Santiago D, Stewart Matthew C, McCoy Annette M, Schaeffer David J
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Kinetic Changes in Deep Digital Flexor Tendinopathy Chronic deep digital flexor (DDF) tendinopathy at the digit level produces measurable alterations in ground reaction force (GRF) parameters that distinguish affected limbs from clinically sound horses, according to this 2022 prospective kinetic analysis. Researchers collected force plate data from 16 horses (11 with MRI-confirmed DDF tendinopathy affecting one or both forelimbs, five clinically sound controls), categorising lesions as dorsal border (eight cases), core (five cases), or sagittal/parasagittal splits (two cases). The most lame limbs showed significantly reduced peak vertical force and earlier time to peak braking force, whilst paradoxically displaying delayed time to peak vertical force when compared to sound forelimbs. These kinetic signatures—essentially a longer, weaker loading phase—suggest horses with DDF tendinopathy adopt a guarded weight-bearing strategy to protect the injured tendon, which has clear relevance for diagnostic applications and monitoring therapeutic response in clinical practice. Whilst the findings require validation against other digital pathologies to establish diagnostic specificity, force plate analysis may emerge as a valuable objective tool for detecting DDF injury and tracking rehabilitation progress in horses where lameness localisation remains challenging.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Kinetic gait analysis showing reduced peak vertical force and delayed peak vertical force timing may help identify DDF tendinopathy in lame horses, though these changes may not be unique to this condition
- •Different MRI presentations of DDF tendinopathy (dorsal border, core, splits) were identified; understanding these patterns may guide prognosis and treatment decisions
- •Ground reaction force measurements could potentially differentiate DDF tendinopathy from other forelimb pathologies in future diagnostic protocols
Key Findings
- •Lame limbs with DDF tendinopathy showed significantly reduced peak vertical force compared to sound horses
- •Time of peak braking force was significantly shorter in lame limbs with DDF tendinopathy versus sound horses
- •Time of peak vertical force was significantly prolonged in lame limbs with DDF tendinopathy
- •Three distinct MRI patterns of DDF tendinopathy were identified: dorsal border (8 cases), core (5 cases), and sagittal/parasagittal splits (2 cases)