Summary
Distal limb lacerations are common injuries in horses, with a better prognosis reported
for extensor tendons lacerations compared to flexor tendons lacerations. The objective
of the present study was to determine the influence of type and location of injury,
modalities of treatment and post surgical complications on the outcome of extensor
tendon lacerations. The medical records of 156 horses surgically treated for extensor
tendon lacerations over a 10-year period were analysed retrospectively. Information
was obtained for 124 horses with a minimum of 18 months follow-up. Statistical analysis
was performed on 129 horses (five horses were euthanatized during hospitalization)
in order to determine factors affecting outcome. Seventy-four percent of the horses
returned to soundness, 17% had moderate gait impairment and 9% remained lame. Approximately
60% of the sports horses returned to an equal or higher level of performance, and
17.5% returned to a lower level. In the multivariate statistical analysis, the only
significant factor that favourably influenced outcome was complete suture of the wound.
A significant association could not be detected between outcome and absence of a functional
extensor tendon, The most important post-surgical complication was extensive scarring
of the wound. The present results report outcome of extensor tendon lacerations in
a large number of horses and outline the importance of primary wound healing in order
to avoid major scarring with potential functional consequences.
Keywords
Horse - extensor tendon - laceration - wound suture - scarring
