Echogenicity of metacarpal tendons and ligaments in foals

The echogenicity of the metacarpal tendons and ligaments in neonatal foals was partially comparable to studies of adult horses. Just as in studies of adult horses there was no significant influence of sex, side and weigt on the echogenicity of these structures.

The results showed a significantly lower echogenicity of the superficial digital flexor tendon than the deep digital flextor tendon, accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon and interrosseous muscle. This difference can be explained by cellularity and fiber undulation of the supericial digital flexor tendon in the young foal.

A small difference in echogenecity was found between the other examined structures, whereas these differences were not statistically significant. The intereosseous muscle was least echogenic. In adult horses, the interosseous muscle (better known as suspensory ligament) has been reported as the most echogenic structure, except in the proximal part. The ligament is recognized as muscle because of its amount of muscular fibers. When the animal becomes older these muscle fibers are replaced by tendinous tissue. In adult horses, the proximal segments of the interosseous muscle contain a small amount of muscular tissue. The amount of muscular tissue in the interosseous muscle of the foal may lead to less echogenicity.

> G. Spinella et al. / Research in Veterinary Science 101 (2015) 11–14. All rights reserved to 2015 Elsevier Ltd. Click here for the Pubmed summary