Tenoscopy of the digital flexor tendon sheath

During this lecture the most common findings during tenoscopy of the digital flexor tendon will be discussed (see also Figs 1–7). In Warmblood horses the most common lesion is a longitudinal tear in the lateral border of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT). We will discuss the treatment, the outcome and problems we facing in the healing of those lesions. The prognosis for full athletic recovery long term is still poor (<50%) despite more than 10 years’ experience in diagnosing and treating them. We will discuss where we are now in the treatment and where we want to go in the future. Non-infected tenosynovitis of the DFTS is a common finding in Warmblood horses used as a dressage horse or as a showjumper. Chronic inflammation of the DFTS can lead to constriction of the annular ligament. In our hospital caseload, almost 80% of horses suffering from a chronic distension of the DFTS, a longitudinal tear or marginal cleft in the border of the DDFT is the primary source of inflammation and subsequent distension. DDFT lesions within the DFTS are almost always associated with chronic (non-infected) tenosynovitis ...