Desmitis of the ALDDFT

Veterinary advice should be sought before applying any treatment or vaccine.

Desmitis Of The ALDDFT

Desmitis Of The ALEDDFT, Carpal Check Ligament Injury

Desmitis of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (ALDDFT)is a common soft-tissue injury in performance horses. The ALDDFT is a reinforcing ligament that begins at the plantar (palmar) fibrous joint capsule of the tarsus (carpus), courses distally between the suspensory ligament and the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) and inserts on the dorsal surface of the DDFT in the mid-metatarsal (metacarpal) region.
distal check ligament
During exercise, the ALDDFT of the forelimb shares the tensile load with the DDFT, preventing overstretching of the latter by passively carrying the load during maximal extension of the distal interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints. The ALDDFT and the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) are bound by fibrous bundles. It is this connection which predisposes development of adhesions between both structures, in cases of severe lesions and inflammation of one of both structures.

Most injuries to the ALDDFT occur in the forelimbs, which are subject to the largest loading during the end of the stance phase of extension of the leg or after landing over a fence. Progressive aging degenerative changes are thought to predispose horses to injury.

Symptoms

Sudden onset of moderate to severe lameness
Swelling, warmth and pain on palpation
Thickening of the tendon area

Diagnosis

  • History
  • Clinical signs
  • Physical exam
  • Lameness exam
  • Ultrasounography

Support

Therapies

TherapiesDetails
Extended stall rest
Support compression bandaging
Hydrotherapy
NSAIDs
Tenogenic induced MSC (Tendo-Cell)6 weeks after the intralesional injection, all treated horses showed 80% imrovement.
Surgical desmotomy of the ALDDFTas a last resort

Prevention

Prognosis

Fair for return to athletic use. It causes more long-term lameness than other tendon/ligament injuries.

Scientific Research

General Overviews

Clinical Trials