Korean Journal of Veterinary Research  2013;53(4):257-261

Palmar annular ligament desmitis in horses: retrospective study between desmotomy and desmectomy techniques.

Pierre Barnabe ESCODRO 1 ; Priscila Faria Rosa LOPES ; Fabio Raphael Pascoti BRUHN

Affiliations

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Keywords

forelimb; equine diseases; lameness; ligament; surgical procedures

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

This study evaluated two different surgical techniques for the treatment of palmar annular ligament desmitis (PAL) in horses. The group 1 (G1) consisted of 11 Thoroughbred submitted to desmotomy, and G2 of 22 horses that underwent PAL desmectomy. There was no statistically significant difference between mean palmar annular ligament thickness in both groups evaluated (p = 0.800). In this study, the horses of G1 had 12 times more chance to return to physical activity, when compared to animals of G2 (p = 0.033; O.R. = 12.0; C.I.95% = 1,142 - 126,122). Desmectomy was more efficient in promoting the resolution of the injury and the return to sports activity.