Diagnosis, management and long‐term outcome of four cases of carpal flexor retinaculum desmopathy

Abstract

SummaryFour cases of flexor retinaculum desmopathy following an accident during the landing phase of jumping and their outcomes are discussed, and an overview of the subjects is provided. The four horses presented with a sudden onset of severe lameness during landing after jumping, which markedly decreased in the first few days. In all cases, the painful area was not localisable on the first day; however, marked swelling was observed on the second day and in all cases, the injury to the carpal flexor retinaculum was visible on ultrasound. The horses were sound in a straight line at 9 (Case 1), 4 (Case 2) and 2 (Case 3) weeks after the injury. Case 4 was not presented until 8 weeks after the incident. During subsequent examination, Case 4 was found to be sound, although it had not returned to training. The owner reported the lameness ended 4 weeks after the incident. All the horses successfully returned to their former competition levels and did not show any problems related to the carpal flexor retinaculum. However, there were significant differences in the regeneration times among the cases, ranging from 5 to 21 months.