Treatment depends on the severity and stage of injury. In the acute stage rest for a minimum of two weeks, oral NSAID’s, cold hydrotherapy, and supportive bandages are recommended. In the subacute stage a controlled exercise program including hand-walking, oral NSAID’s, contrasting hydrotherapy and topical applications such as DMSO are recommended. In the chronic stage warm hydrotherapy before exercise, a controlled exercise program including strengthening exercises and stretches, topical sweats or tighteners, laser, magnets, therapeutic ultrasound, shockwave therapy or cryotherapy may be used. Massage therapy is appropriate in all stages. Other new & popular treatments include PRP, IRAP and stem cell therapy.
Prognosis is excellent with appropriate treatment. The less severe the strain the better the prognosis. Prevention is adequate warm up and cool down.
Common tendons affected include: Flexor tendons of limb Extensor tendons of limb
Common Calcanean, cunean, biceps brachii, middle gluteal
Bowed Tendon A bowed tendon is tendonitis/strain of either the superficial digital flexor tendon and/or the deep digital flexor tendon.
A bowed tendon can be caused by tendonitis, acute trauma, repeated strain or hyperextension of the joint causing overstretching of the tendons or compression necrosis.
All of these cause a disruption of the collagen fibres in the tendon leading to haemorrhage, edema and inflammation in the tendon.
Bowed tendons are most commonly seen in the
of the forelimb. It is far less common
to see bowed tendons in the hind leg but is usually associated with racers. Horses with long toe-low heel and long, sloping pasterns are predisposed to bowed tendons, as are horses working in deep, slippery footing or those with added traction to the toe. Horses that continually load the tendons such as in the gallop or jumping. Insufficient training and muscle fatigue predispose the horse to hyperextension of the fetlock. Stable or exercise bandages that are improperly applied may develop pressure points and cause compression . Bowed tendons are generally classified by the location of the strain and the tendons involved. Bows are considered “ ” if they are located in the proximal third of the cannon, “ ” if they are located in the middle third of the cannon (most common), and “ “ if they are located in the distal third of the cannon. A “low, low bow” is seen distal to the fetlock, and involves the digital flexor tendon only.
In the acute stage a bowed tendon is seen as a diffuse swelling over the palmar/plantar aspect of the cannon, pain on palpation of the affected tendon, heat and inflammation of the affected
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