Pedigree Query

Has anyone had any experience with tendon splitting for bowed or injured tendons??

griff

No, but here's an article that might be of interest.
http://www.mdhorse.com/showarticle.asp?kk=50

http://www.mdhorse.com/showarticle.asp?kk=59

Surgery

Additional research has been conducted on different surgical options. As with the pin firing or blistering, the goal is to interfere with the healing and “new tissue” formation processes. One of these options includes tendon splitting or grafting, which is intended to encourage increased circulation and “organize new forming tissues.” Unfortunately, this procedure tends to cause more adhesions and additional scarring to form.

A recent study has been performed on a new procedure called a “superior check desmotomy,” in which the superior check ligament is completely severed. In this study of 137 race horses conducted by Michael Ross, DVM, of the New Bolten Center at the University of Pennsylvania, 71% of the horses raced again while 51% of those horses had at least five (5) starts after the surgery. He concludes that the ligament heals in “an elongated fashion that would increase the elastic limit of the damaged tendon,” which, in turn, counteracts the “loss of normal elasticity due to the formation of scar tissue during the healing process.”

Dr. Ross also refers to the annular desmotomy, in which the annular ligament is severed. Located in the lower part of the leg around the fetlock, this ligament often restricts movement once the injured tendon becomes inflamed and swells. By severing the annular ligament, the tendon’s movement is unimpeded, thereby enabling it to release some of the toxic fluids that build up and hamper the healing process. It also prevents additional damage to the tendon that often results from the constriction of the annular ligament

Thanks Shammy Davis

this is exactly what I was hoping to find

griff