Use of quantitative analysis of sonographic brightness for detection of early healing of tendon injury in horses.

Objectives: To determine whether quantitative analysis of sonographic brightness could be used to detect healing of an induced injury of the superficial digital flexor tendon in horses and whether rate of healing was influenced by equine recombinant growth hormone.

Animals: 8 clinically normal Standardbreds.

Procedures: A localized injury was created in the left and right superficial digital flexor tendons of each horse by injection of 2,000 units of collagenase.