What Is The Digital Flexor Tendon In A Horse?

The forelimb superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) is an energy-storing tendon that is highly susceptible to injury during activities such as galloping and jumping, such that it is one of the most commonly reported causes of lameness in the performance horse.

Can a horse recover from a deep digital flexor tendon injury?

DDFT injuries can sideline horses for varying amounts of time. If your horse has a very mild strain, he may be back in work in six to eight weeks.

What is the digital flexor tendon?

The superficial digital flexor tendon is located in the fore and hind limbs and runs along the back of the cannon bones and connects the short pastern to the coffin bone (LLC, HorseDVM). The superficial digital flexor tendon is responsible for the stabilization and support of the fetlock joint. (LLC, HorseDVM).

How do you treat deep digital flexor tendons?

As with most soft tissue injuries, the mainstay of treatment for DDFT injuries is rest and rehabilitation. Long periods of rehabilitation are necessary, often of up to a year, consisting of rest followed by a slowly ascending exercise regime.

What is a flexor tendon in a horse?

The flexor tendons which are the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) and the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) run down the back of the limb from the level of the knee/hock. The SDFT ends on the pastern and the DDFT end on the back of the pedal bone.

Which tendon is most commonly injured in horses?

Most tendons are relatively short and are rarely damaged. However, the long tendons of the limbs are vulnerable to damage during exercise or as a result of trauma. The flexor tendons are the most important long tendon structures prone to injury.

Can a flexor tendon heal without surgery?

If your flexor tendons are damaged, you’ll be unable to bend one or more fingers. Tendon damage can also cause pain and inflammation (swelling) in your hand. In some cases, damage to the extensor tendons can be treated without the need for surgery, using a rigid support called a splint that’s worn around the hand.

What is digital flexor tendon repair?

A small incision is made to locate the ends of the tendon and they are then stitched back together. Flexor tendons are often difficult to get to and are located near important nerves so repair will generally occur under a general anaesthetic.

How long does it take for a flexor tendon to heal?

A flexor tendon takes approximately 3 to 4 months to heal before your hand is strong enough to use without restrictions. usually you will be required to wear a protective splint for approximately 6 o 8 weeks after surgery, removing it only to do exercise prescribed by your doctor and therapist.

How soon does a flexor tendon need to be repaired?

We conclude that the optimal timing for tendon repair is at the primary stage. Delayed tendon repair can be performed within 3 weeks to one month after injury, but the repair is preferably done in initial several days of delay. Direct sheath closure is not advocated in tendon repair in the delayed period.

What causes deep digital flexor tendon injury?

Cause: uncertain in many cases but includes exercise, fatigue, degenerative changed with age, direct trauma +/- infection, pathology in other structures such as the digital sheath (DFTS) and carpal/tarsal sheaths is common and can have a direct affect on the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT).

How do you get rid of flexor tendon pain?

If the pain from your finger tendonitis is minor, resting it and icing it will likely allow it to heal within a couple weeks. If your pain is intense or does not get better with time, you should visit a doctor to determine if your injury requires physical therapy or surgery.

Is flexor tendonitis serious?

If a deep cut occurs, damage to nerves or blood vessels may occur. This is very serious and requires immediate surgery to remedy.

Can a flexor tendon be repaired?

The wound in the hand will be closed with stitches and a rigid plaster splint will usually be applied to protect the repaired tendons. A simple flexor tendon repair takes 45 to 60 minutes, but complex surgery for more severe injuries could take much longer.

Does a flexor tendon injury hurt?

The most profound symptom of Flexor Tendon Injuries is the inability to bend one or more of the joints of a finger. Pain may be more pronounced when the finger is bent. Tenderness, bruising, or swelling may be present on the palm side of the hand along the affected digit. In some cases the fingertip may go numb.

Will a horse be lame with a tendon injury?

Mild tendon sprains often do not cause lameness. If there is severe tendon damage, the limb can become very painful, with the toe tipped upwards or the fetlock may sink at the walk. In cases of tendon sheath sepsis the horse will also be very lame at walk.

Do horses fully recover from tendon injuries?

There are several treatments for tendon injuries but none is guaranteed to result in permanent soundness. Damaged tendon heals by producing irregularly arranged fibers. This repair is weaker than normal tendon and re-injury is common.

How long does it take for a horse’s tendon to heal?

Tendons heal by laying down scar tissue rather than replacing highly specialized tendon fibers. Scar tissue produced during the initial healing phase is soft and elastic but becomes increasingly firmer as it remodels in an attempt to replicate normal tissue. The healing process typically takes about nine months.

How do I strengthen my horses tendons?

Ride them on grass. Ride them in an arena. Ride them carefully over uneven ground. All these things will strengthen your horse’s ligaments and make them less prone to tearing.

What helps tendons heal faster?

Stretching and flexibility exercises to help the tendon heal completely and avoid long-term pain. Strengthening exercises to help you rebuild tendon strength and avoid future injuries. Ultrasound heat therapy to improve blood circulation, which may aid the healing process.

What happens if you don’t repair torn tendons?

Left untreated, injuries like partial tendon tears can become full ruptures that leave no connection between bones and muscle. Achilles tendon ruptures and ACL ruptures can disable your ability to put weight on your legs, bend or straighten your knees, stand on tiptoe, or walk with a normal heel-to-toe stride.