In essence, it's a unique sort of injury seen in our hoofed friends, most often affecting what we call the inferior check ligament (ICL), or in more scientific terms, the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (ALDDFT). The ICL is located just at the back of both front and rear cannons in all horses and even little ponies. This is a short ligament located just below the knee and is a direct continuation of the palmar carpal ligament, which joins/merges into the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) in the middle.
Tendon and Ligament Injuries in the Horse and Recovery SecondVet
The inferior check ligament, also known as the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon, is an interesting and important soft-tissue structure in the equine athlete. (Credit: Illustrated Atlas of Clinical Equine Anatomy and Common Disorders of the Horse) The check ligament in horses is found in all four legs, at the back of the cannon bone. It starts at the back of the knee or hock, and attaches lower down with the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) further down the cannon. The correct name for the check ligament in horses is the inferior check ligament, or ICL. Accessory (check) ligament of the deep flexor tendon, which runs from the carpus (knee) on the back of the leg and attaches to the deep digital flexor tendon about one-third of the way down on the cannon bone. This ligament helps with shock absorption and prevents excessive lengthening of the deep digital flexor tendon The accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (inferior check ligament [ICL]) is a strong fibrous band that is the direct continuation of the common palmar ligament of the carpus. Desmitis of the ICL may be seen alone or develop secondarily to injury to the superficial digital flexor tendon.
Michael Porter, Equine Veterinarian Distal Check Ligament Injury in a Horse
Cutting the accessory (check) ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) is a treatment commonly used for horses with stage 1 club feet (contracture of the distal interphalangeal joint) that do not respond to conservative therapy and for stage 2 club feet in yearlings and older horses. The inferior check ligament (ICL) is located at the back of front and rear cannon in all horses and ponies. The ligament originates at the back of the knee and travels lower down the limb before attaching with the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) halfway down the cannon. It is situated between the suspensory ligament and the flexor tendons. Desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (inferior check desmotomy) is the most successful and commonly used procedure for flexural deformity of the distal limb and does not interfere with future performance. Superior check ligament desmotomy may be included for horses with fetlock deformities. The check ligament is between the body of the suspensory and the deep flexor tendon in the proximal cannon bone area. The distal or inferior check ligament connects the deep flexor tendon to the fascia on the palmar aspect of MC III.
Tendon Injury Horse [Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment]
Tendinitis of the superficial digital flexor tendon (arrow points toward the area known as a "bowed tendon") is evident as swelling that is firm, warm, and usually painful to palpation. Image courtesy of Dr. Andy Kaneps. Severe injuries of tendons may result in observable abnormalities of the affected limb during stance. Of the 332 horses that underwent the procedure, 228 (69%) went on to race post-surgery.. (superior check) ligament of the SDF tendon—is based on the premise that the ligament, once healed, is.
A horse has two check ligaments in each front leg and one in each hind. In the front leg the proximal (uppermost) check ligament is also known as the superior check ligament, and is an attachment between the radius (upper leg above the knee) and the superficial flexor tendon. We will go with superior check ligament to simplify. The check ligament, or accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon, helps to stabilize the deep digital flexor tendon and minimize excessive stretching. Collateral ligaments are found in various joints, such as the fetlock and coffin joints, providing side-to-side stability and preventing excessive joint movement.
Suspensory Ligament Injury & Lameness Horse health, Horse anatomy, Horse care
Geriatric horses often suffer tendon and ligament injuries for reasons unique to their age group.. This inferior check ligament is an important structure that prevents overstretching of the. Author David Ramey. A good dose of patience is needed to get any injured tendon or ligament to heal! Frontispiece from Chaucer, Troilus and Criseyde, 15th century, at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, UK. No matter what sort of treatment you choose when your horse injures a tendon or a ligament, the most important treatment will be time.
