March Case of the Month – Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon Injury
Polly the pony was out for a trail ride with her rider when she injured her left front leg. Her young owner diligently cold hosed and wrapped her leg but the swelling persisted. On examination, Polly had the classic ‘bow’ to her superficial digital extensor tendon (SDFT), the outermost tendon found on the back of horses’ legs. On ultrasound, we confirmed that she did indeed injure the SDFT. We could see enlargement of the tendon, fluid uptake (seen as black areas) within the tendon, and shortened and broken tendon fibers (seen as white lines) on ultrasound.
In addition to rest and rehabilitation exercises, Polly also received an injection of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) directly into her injured tendon. PRP is harvested from the horse’s blood, and processed to concentrate the platelets, the smallest cells in the blood. After injecting the PRP directly into the injured tendon, the platelets release growth hormones promoting tendon repair.
Update: The benefit of the PRP was evident on repeat ultrasound with the absence of free fluid and the regeneration and reorganization of tendon fibers. Polly’s owner continues with her rehabilitation, taking her for controlled walks with some trotting. With her diligent care and adherence to the exercise program, Polly and her owner should be hitting the trails again next spring.
-
- Initial Injury (as seen in outlined area)
-
- Bowed Tendon
-
- Repeat Ultrasound after PRP Treatment