In vivo Evaluation of Acousto-elastography in the Normal Equine Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon

Introduction: Superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injury is common in athletic horses. Recovery requires balancing rest and controlled exercise, resulting in high risk of re-injury. It is difficult to determine the level of work the damaged tissue can sustain based on serial ultrasound examination alone. However, as small changes in sonographic appearance are associated with large changes in biomechanical strength, it is difficult to determine the degree of activity the tissue can sustain. 

Aims: Acoustoelastography (AEG) is a new ultrasound-based model to evaluate tendon function. Acoustoelastography deduces stiffness gradient, the rate of change of normalised stiffness as a function of strain, by analysing the changes in echo intensity observed in cine loops captured from gradually deforming tendon. The goal of this project was to establish a reproducible method for applying AEG in the normal equine SDFT. [...]