Gaffelbandsskador : en retrospektiv studie av konservativt behandlade hästar

Abstract: Suspensory ligament injuries are a common cause of lameness among sport horses. These injuries are expensive due to slow healing, extensive convalescence and high risk of recurrence. The prognosis has been reported to be everything from good to guarded depending on the size of the lesion and the location within the suspensory ligament. The purpose of this study was to determine how different factors such as age, use, and location of the lesion are associated with the final outcome after a suspensory ligament injury. Material: Hospital records of 27 horses treated for suspensory ligament injuries at SLU equine hospital in Skara, Sweden, between January 2002 and July 2003 were examined retrospectively. None of the horses were treated locally with injections in the suspensory ligament. Information regarding symptoms, treatment, training and outcome was collected through phone and/or mail communication with the owners. Twelve of the animals were standardbred trotters and 1 was a thoroughbred in training. Fourteen, 52%, were pleasure horses from different disciplines such as show jumping, dressage and common riding. Results: Mean ages of the horses were 8.2 years (range 2-17 years). Among the pleasure horses 71 % returned to the same level as before the injury while 77 % of the 13 racehorses recovered. Time from injury to return to intended use varied from 4 to18 months. Only 56 % of the horses that were 10 years or older could manage to come back, compared to 83 % of the horses less than 10 years of age. Neither breed, sex, nor leg injured affected the prognosis; however, the location of the injury within the ligament seemed to be of great importance for the outcome. Conclusion: The age of the horse at the time of injury and the latters location within the suspensory ligament were the parameters that affected the outcome the most in this study.