Very Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Inferior Check Ligament Strains or Tears
Synonyms: Accessory Ligament Deep Digital Flexor Tendon Desmitis (ALDDFT)
Summary
Injuries to the inferior check ligament are relatively uncommon. They generally appear as mild to moderate lameness with possible mild swelling in the back of the mid-cannon region of the lower limb. In other cases, the signs can be very subtle and only diagnosable using ultrasound or advanced diagnostics.
There is a poorly understood condition of ALDDFT desmitis in which there is knuckling of one or both hind fetlocks.
Ultrasound is the most useful diagnostic for diagnosis of this condition and to assess severity and healing.
Treatment is the same as other flexor tendon injuries, but in select cases the ALDDFT can be cut. For the syndrome of knuckling of the hind fetlocks, cutting of the ligament may be helpful in some situations.
There is a poorly understood condition of ALDDFT desmitis in which there is knuckling of one or both hind fetlocks.
Ultrasound is the most useful diagnostic for diagnosis of this condition and to assess severity and healing.
Treatment is the same as other flexor tendon injuries, but in select cases the ALDDFT can be cut. For the syndrome of knuckling of the hind fetlocks, cutting of the ligament may be helpful in some situations.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Very Common
Less Common
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
For horses that injury the ALDDFT, the prognosis is fair to good with early diagnosis and treatment, and adequate rest and rehabilitation. With injuries of this type, re-injury is always a possibility.For horses with knuckling of the rear fetlocks, the prognosis is guarded, and is improved with cutting of the ALDDFT.
my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Very Common
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Lameness, Generally
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Swelling on Back of Lower Limb, Flexor Tendon Area
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Lameness, Chronic Front Limb
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Lameness, Immediately Following Trauma or Accident
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Excessively Flexed, Upright Through Fetlock. Cocked Ankle (in Adult)
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Skin Feels Warm or Hot, Heat in a Local Area
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Pain Response when Pressure Applied to An Area
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- How did you reach this diagnosis?
- What is the likelihood of recurrence given the amount of work I expect from the horse?
- Will cutting of the ALDDFT help the condition?
Prevention
Prevention involves adequate conditioning and training, good hoof care and shoeing. Select horses of good conformation and suitability for your intended use.
For the knuckling condition, the development of the condition is poorly understood , and so is prevention.