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

Lucy Micklethwaite Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia.

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 BVSc, BSc(Vet)
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Andrew K.W. Wood Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 3850 Spruce St. PA 19104-6010.

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Chandra M. Sehgal Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6086.

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 PhD
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Marcia Polansky School of Public Health, MCPHahnemann University, Philadelphia, PA 19102.

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Bradley A. Dowling Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia.

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Andrew J. Dart Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia.

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Reuben J. Rose Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia.

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David R. Hodgson Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia.

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 BVSc, PhD

Abstract

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. After injury, 4 horses received equine recombinant growth hormone, a possible promoter of tendon healing. Sonographic images (7.5 MHz) of the flexor tendons and ligaments of the metacarpal region were recorded on videotape prior to injury and weekly for 7 weeks after injury. Images were digitized, and sonographic brightness of tendons and ligaments was calculated.

Results—Collagenase-induced injury was sonographically similar to naturally occurring injury. After injury, sonographic brightness of the tendon decreased; after 3 weeks, brightness progressively increased, although by 7 weeks brightness had not returned to preinjury value. Equine recombinant growth hormone had no significant effect on the rate of tendon healing, as evaluated sonographically or at necropsy.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—As healing developed, alterations in sonographic brightness of injured tendons coincided with real changes in tendon structure. Quantitative sonographic brightness could be used to accurately monitor healing of equine tendon and ligament injuries and investigate the efficacy of various treatment regimens. (Am J Vet Res 2001;62:1320–1327)

Abstract

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. After injury, 4 horses received equine recombinant growth hormone, a possible promoter of tendon healing. Sonographic images (7.5 MHz) of the flexor tendons and ligaments of the metacarpal region were recorded on videotape prior to injury and weekly for 7 weeks after injury. Images were digitized, and sonographic brightness of tendons and ligaments was calculated.

Results—Collagenase-induced injury was sonographically similar to naturally occurring injury. After injury, sonographic brightness of the tendon decreased; after 3 weeks, brightness progressively increased, although by 7 weeks brightness had not returned to preinjury value. Equine recombinant growth hormone had no significant effect on the rate of tendon healing, as evaluated sonographically or at necropsy.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—As healing developed, alterations in sonographic brightness of injured tendons coincided with real changes in tendon structure. Quantitative sonographic brightness could be used to accurately monitor healing of equine tendon and ligament injuries and investigate the efficacy of various treatment regimens. (Am J Vet Res 2001;62:1320–1327)

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