Outcome following neurectomy of the deep branch lateral plantar nerve and plantar fasciotomy for hindlimb proximal suspensory desmopathy in western performance horses: 21 cases

Abstract

To report the outcome of horses used in western performance disciplines after deep branch lateral plantar neurectomy/fasciotomy surgery for hind limb proximal suspensory desmopathy (PSD). Retrospective analysis. Twenty-one client-owned horses. Medical records were reviewed (2009-2019) for horses involved in western performance disciplines that had been treated with deep branch lateral plantar neurectomy and plantar fasciotomy for lameness due to hind limb PSD. Follow-up was obtained by reexamination and/or verbal interviews with owners >2 years postoperatively. Sixteen quarter horses and five paints were used for western pleasure (14/21), barrel racing (2/21), cutting (1/21), steer wrestling (1/21), working cow horse (1/21), team roping (1/21) and reining (1/21). A median duration of 8 months was required before horses were able to resume training or athletic work. Nine horses were able to return to a similar or higher level of athletic use, nine horses returned to a lower level of athletic performance, and three horses could not return to intended function. Owner satisfaction with outcome after the procedure was high (16/21), average (3/21), and low (2/21). Deep branch lateral plantar neurectomy and plantar fasciotomy allowed most horses to resume some athletic function as western performance horses. These results provide evidence of potential outcomes when considering surgical treatment of hind limb PSD in western performance horses.