with chiropractic adjustment, acupuncture and massage therapy, as well as a controlled exercise program to strengthen the muscles of the back and abdomen. Moderate or repeated subluxation may require chiropractic adjustment as well as the injection of irritating substances to stimulate the and shortening of intervertebral ligaments. Severe subluxation or luxation may require surgical realignment and stabilization of the vertebrae. Euthanasia may be recommended in cases where the luxation or subluxation is considered untreatable, or where the horse is unable to stand. Check Ligament Desmitis In the forelimb, check ligaments anchor each flexor tendon to the back of the leg to help keep the flexor tendons from being over-stretched. The or radial check ligament anchors the SDFt to the radius just above the carpus. The or carpal check ligament anchors the DDFt to the palmar aspect of the carpus. The cause of check ligament desmitis is often acute trauma caused by sudden hyperextension of the carpus and/or fetlock. As their role is to prevent the flexor tendons from being over- stretched, in doing so the check ligaments themselves become sprained. It is less common for the check ligaments to be injured compared to the flexor tendons.
Most commonly affected horses are
racehorses, ponies and warmbloods.
Superior check ligament damage is seen as mild to moderate lameness, mild pain on palpation and variable amounts is swelling above the carpus. As the radial check ligament is protected beneath forearm muscles it can be very difficult to detect swelling. Inferior check ligament damage is seen as mild to moderate lameness, swelling below the carpus on the palmar aspect of the cannon, heat and pain on palpation. In chronic stages the horse may develop an ‘ ‘ appearance due to the fibrosing & shortening of the ligament. Diagnosis is case history, signs & symptoms, palpation and ultrasound. It is not unusual to have flexor tendon or suspensory damage at the same time, so it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis. Treatment involves rest with hand-walking for 6 weeks, NSAIDs, topicals such as DMSO, cold hydrotherapy, support bandaging, massage and a CEP. If lameness persists and or there is DDFt involvement a vet may perform a check ligament . It is more common to perform this on the inferior check ligament.
Prognosis is good if just the check ligament was involved, and the horse is given adequate recovery time. Prognosis worsens if DDFt or suspensory damage was also present.
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