Short and long term prognosis of proximal suspensory desmopathy in the hind limb after neurectomy and fasciotomy.

Abstract

Objective: To describe the prognosis of horses with proximal suspensory desmopathy (PSL) in the hind limb after neurectomy of the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve and plantar fasciotomy on short term (3 months) and long term (12 months). Another aspect of the study is to start a prospective study on the prognosis of horses with PSL in both front and hind limbs after neurectomy and fasciotomy. Study design: Retrospective case series. Animals: 80. Methods: Follow-up information was acquired of 80 horses that had undergone neurectomy and fasciotomy after being diagnosed with PSL. Success was classified as the horse being sound on 3 and 12 months postoperatively. The horses were divided in 3 groups. Group 1 (n=46): horses with PSL only in one or both hind limbs. Group 2 (n=23): horses with PSL in one or both hind limbs and straight hock conformation and/or hyperextension of the metatarsophalangeal joint. Group 3 (n=11): horses with PSL in one or both hind limbs and another condition associated with lameness and/or poor performance. In respect to the prospective study a checklist will be created for veterinarians to gain standardised information on horses with PSL. Results: No relation has been found between duration of lameness, grade of lameness or ultrasound findings and being sound after 3 months. No significant difference between the three groups on being sound after 12 months has been found. The overall success ratio of neurectomy and fasciotomy after 3 months is 59.4%. After 12 months the success ratio is 34.0%. Conclusion: More and better standardised research is required with help of the newly developed checklist.