Injuries to the digital flexor tendon sheath in the horse

摘要

The equine digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) is frequently localized as a cause of lameness. The DFTS contains, and is associated with, several important anatomic structures including the flexor tendons, manica flexoria and palmar/plantar annular ligament. Correct identification of the structures involved in injury is important, as the treatment and prognosis vary with injury. Diagnostic tenoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis. The most commonly diagnosed injuries include linear tears of the deep digital flexor tendon, tears of the manica flexoria and palmar/plantar annular ligament desmopathy.