Comparison of treatment outcomes for superficial digital flexor tendonitis in National Hunt racehorses. (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Witte, S.; Dedman, C.; Harriss, F.; Kelly, G.; Chang, Y.-M.; Witte, T.H.
• Is Part Of: Veterinary journal. Volume 216(2016)
• Page Start: 157
• Page End: 163
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: Controlled exercise -- Firing -- PRP -- Splitting; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; 636
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2016.08.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1090-0233

Abstract

Highlights: We collected race performance data for National Hunt racehorses treated for superficial digital flexor tendonitis. We compared racing performance for five common treatment modalities in treated and age- and sex-matched control horses. Our data demonstrate that SDF tendonitis remains a career limiting injury. Control horses raced more often, with higher performance rating and a longer racing distance, after the date of case injury. Rate of return to racing was not associated with lesion severity or treatment group. Abstract: Superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendonitis is a common injury in Thoroughbred racehorses. Injuries require prolonged rehabilitation, with unpredictable outcomes and a high incidence of re-injury. This observational case–control study aimed to compare race outcomes after commonly advocated treatments for tendon healing. Clinical and racing records were evaluated for 127 National Hunt racehorses treated between 2007 and 2011 for an SDF tendon injury. Two age- and sex-matched control horses were selected for each case horse to analyse the effect on post-injury racing outcomes of pre-injury data, lesion severity and treatment group [controlled exercise alone, bar firing, intralesional platelet-rich plasma (PRP), tendon splitting, tendon splitting combined with bar firing]. Control horses raced more often than case horses, with higher maximum racing post rating (RPRmax ) and longer racing distances. Pre-injury racing performance was not associated with treatment group. Rate of return to racing was not associated with lesion severity or treatment group. Number of races, total distance raced post-injury and RPRmax were not associated with lesion severity or treatment group. Controlled exercise alone offered similar post-injury racing outcomes in National Hunt racehorses with SDF tendonitis to the other treatment options examined. Bar firing, either alone or in conjunction with tendon splitting, provided no additional benefit in rate of return to racing and race performance.