Tendon injury: The switch from curative to preventive medicine

摘要

Orthopaedic disorders comprise by far the most important group of health problems affecting equine performance and welfare. Of these, tendon injuries are very prominent in almost all equestrian disciplines and in particular during racing (Williams et al., 2001). The major issue with tendons is the high re-injury rate due to the fact that (as elsewhere in the body) scar tissue is of inferior quality compared to the original tissue. Repaired areas of tendon have different biomechanical characteristics (often including a general loss of elasticity) and the resulting biomechanical incongruity frequently leads to re-injury at the moment when these structures are again maximally loaded when (full) athletic activity is resumed after recovery. The energy-storing flexor tendons and ligaments that are situated at the palmar or plantar side of the equine distal limb are known to have a very narrow safety margin during athletic exertion (Stephens et al., 1989) and this is key to both injury and re-injury.