Zonal characterization and differential trilineage potentials of equine intrasynovial deep digital flexor tendon-derived cells.

Background: Intrasynovial deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) injuries occur frequently and are often implicated in cases of navicular disease with poor outcomes and reinjuries. Cell-based approaches to tendon healing are gaining traction in veterinary medicine and ultimately may contribute to improved DDFT healing in horses. However, a better understanding of the innate cellular characteristics of equine DDFT is necessary for developing improved therapeutic strategies.

Ex vivo effects of corticosteroids on equine deep digital flexor and navicular fibrocartilage explant cell viability.

Objective: To investigate the effects of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) on the viability of resident cells within the fibrocartilage on the dorsal surface of the deep digital flexor tendon (FC-DDFT) and fibrocartilage on the flexor surface of the navicular bone (FC-NB) of horses.

Sample: 12 to 14 explants of FC-DDFT and of FC-NB from grossly normal forelimbs of 5 cadavers of horses aged 9 to 15 years without evidence of musculoskeletal disease.

Procedures: Explants were incubated with culture medium (control) or TA-supplemented (0.

Effects of Methylprednisolone Acetate on Equine Deep Digital Flexor Tendon-Derived Cells.

Primary deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) pathologies and those accompanying degenerative changes of navicular bone fibrocartilage are major causes of lameness associated with navicular disease. Intrasynovial corticosteroids are mainstay in the treatment due to the anti-inflammatory effects, but their effect on DDFT cell biosynthesis are unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) on cells isolated from the dorsal fibrocartilaginous region of forelimb DDFTs (DDFT-derived cells) of 5 horses (aged 11-17 years).

Quantitative Assessment of Tendon Hierarchical Structure by Combined Second Harmonic Generation and Immunofluorescence Microscopy.

Histological evaluation of healing tendons is primarily focused on monitoring restoration of longitudinal collagen alignment, although the elastic property of energy-storing flexor tendons is largely attributed to interfascicular sliding facilitated by the interfascicular matrix (IFM). The objectives of this study were to explore the utility of second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging to objectively assess cross-sectional tendon fascicle architecture, to combine SHG microscopy with elastin immunofluorescence to assess the ultrastructure of collagen and elastin in longitudinal and transverse sections, and lastly, to quantify changes in IFM elastin and fascicle collagen alignment of normal and collagenase-injured flexor tendons. Paraffin-embedded transverse and longitudinal histological sections (10-μm thickness) derived from normal and collagenase-injured (6- and 16-week time-points) equine superficial digital flexor tendons were de-paraffinized, treated with Tris EDTA at 80°C for epitope retrieval, and incubated with mouse monoclonal anti-elastin antibody (1:100 dilution) overnight.

Subchondral lucencies of the proximal tibia in 17 horses.

Objective: To describe subchondral lucencies (SCL) in the equine proximal tibia, several treatment options, and clinical outcomes.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: Seventeen horses with proximal tibial SCL.

Evaluation of a Novel Bone Substitute Injection Technique for Potential Treatment of Impact Injury to the Equine Palmar Metacarpal Condyle.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the injection of a bone substitute material (BSM) into an impact lesion in the palmar condyle of the third metacarpal bone.

Study Design:  This was an controlled study performed on six horses.

Materials And Methods:  Medial metacarpal condyles were exposed via arthrotomy and a compressive lesion created in anaesthetized horses using 80 psi (27.

Equine Dental Pulp Connective Tissue Particles Reduced Lameness in Horses in a Controlled Clinical Trial.

Objective: To assess if injection of allogeneic dental pulp tissue particles would improve lameness in horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis (OA) or soft tissue (ST) injury.

Design: Prospective, randomized, blinded, and controlled clinical trial and client survey assessment.

Animals: Forty lame client-owned horses.

Concurrent or sequential tibial subchondral cystic lesions in 4 horses with medial femoral condyle subchondral cystic lesions.

CASE DESCRIPTION 4 horses were examined because of signs of chronic hind limb lameness. CLINICAL FINDINGS 3 horses had a history of lameness for > 6 months; specific duration was unknown for 1 horse. On initial evaluation, grade 3 to 4 (on a scale from 1 to 5) hind limb lameness was present in all 4 horses.

Evaluation of a New Surgical Treatment for Equine Hind Limb Proximal Suspensory Desmitis.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a new microfracture and ligament splitting procedure on ligament healing and to examine the usefulness of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for monitoring ligament healing over time using a collagenase model of hind limb proximal suspensory desmitis.

Study Design: Experimental in vivo study.

Animals: Healthy adult horses (n=6).

Magnetic resonance imaging findings in horses with septic arthritis.

Fourteen horses with septic arthritis underwent high-field (1.5 T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Septic arthritis was diagnosed based on results from historical and clinical findings, synovial fluid analyses and culture, and radiographic, ultrasonographic, arthroscopic, and histopathologic findings.

Surgical approach for removal of nonarticular base sesamoid fragments of the proximal sesamoid bones in horses.

Objectives: To describe a surgical approach for the removal of nonarticular base sesamoid fragments in performance horses and to report the outcome.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: Horses (n=11), 7 months to 10 years of age, with lameness because of nonarticular base sesamoid fragments.

Magnetic resonance imaging features of proximal metacarpal and metatarsal injuries in the horse.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging abnormalities in horses with lameness localized to the proximal metacarpal or metatarsal region have not been described. To accomplish that, the medical records of 45 horses evaluated with MR imaging that had lameness localized to either the proximal metacarpal or metatarsal region were reviewed. Abnormalities observed in the proximal suspensory ligament or the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon included abnormal high signal, enlargement, or alteration in shape.