Relationship between the treatment used in superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) tendinitis and its prognosis in Thoroughbred horses in Canary Islands.

Abstract

Musculoskeletal injuries are the main cause of loss of sporting performance in horses, with the superficial digital tendon (SDFT) being affected on a large number of occasions. In spite of having investigated on multiple occasions different lines of treatment, there is still no standardized single treatment that is affordable, effective and that allows the injured horse to return to its previous sporting level. In the Canary Islands, due to the great tradition of racing on asphalt, there are a large number of English thoroughbred horses (PSI). Therefore, in this study, with the help of ultrasound, we seek to observe the possible relationship that may exist between a better or worse recovery depending on the treatment used. For this purpose, 27 PSI horses that had been treated at the Veterinary Clinical Hospital of the ULPGC were selected. The inclusion criteria were: having suffered from tendinitis of the SDFT, having been treated and having ultrasound images in their histories. A greater number of lesions were observed affecting area 2B; as well as a better evolution in the cases in which PRP + Conventional was used as treatment (p>0.05). Although much progress has been made in the treatment of tendinitis in horses, there is still no treatment that works in most equids in a predictable way, allowing them to return to compete at the same level as before the injury. For this reason, and because of the great economic loss to their owners, it is necessary to continue to study tendinitis because, although we are getting closer, a standardized treatment has not yet been achieved.