Among the FLEXOR TENDONs in the horse's limbs, the SUPERFICIAL digital FLEXOR TENDON is more prone to damage than the deep digital FLEXOR TENDON. SDF TENDONitis is a common injury in event horses. Recovery of SUPERFICIAL digital FLEXOR TENDON (SDFT) injuries is slow, but re-injury is likely. SDF TENDON injuries are more common in the forelimb. FLEXOR TENDON injuries are due to strain on the TENDON or a direct trauma. TENDON damage vary from inflammation and pain to complete rupture of the TENDON. Injuries caused by strain are associated with swelling that require ultrasound assessment to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment for these injuries includes anti-inflammatory treatment, which is initially followed by a rehabilitation program. In cases where drug treatment is not responsive, surgical procedures including TENDON splitting and superior check ligament desmotomy can be used. In this study, we briefly review the TENDONitis of the SUPERFICIAL digital FLEXOR TENDON, etiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.

Background: There have been investigations on the effect of absence or presence of Palmaris longus TENDON on pinch and grip strength of the hand. In the same way the effect of presence of FIFTH SUPERFICIAL FLEXOR digitorum on grip strength of the hand has been investigated. The aim of the present study was to assess the combined effect of these anatomical variations on pinch and grip strength.Methods: In a cross sectional study, 1046 hands in 523 volunteers were enrolled. Each hand was assessed for the presence or absence of palmaris longus TENDON and also variations of FIFTH SUPERFICIAL FLEXOR digitorum function. Then the grip and pinch power of the hands were measured with Jammar Dynamometer. Results: Presence or absence of Palmaris longus had no effect on grip strength of the individuals. In the same way, variations of FIFTH SUPERFICIAL FLEXOR digitorum function had no effect on the grip and pinch strengths. But the positive and statistically significant effect of presence of palmaris longus on pinch strength (25.38 in hands with palmaris present v/s 24.43 in hands without it) was evident (p=.03). Grip and pinch powers were higher in men compared to women (p<.0001) and in right compared to left hands (p=.013).Conclusions: Based upon the findings of the present study, it seems that absence of palmaris longus TENDON is associated with a reduction in pinch strength, but has no effect on grip strength and the variations of FIFTH SUPERFICIAL FLEXOR digitorum have no effect on pinch and grip strengths.

Background: The anatomical variations of the TENDONs of hand are well known but their prevalence is not the same among different races. In most textbooks, palmaris longus (PL) absence is reported to be 15%, with a lower rate for Asians compare to Europeans. The 5th finger FLEXOR digitorum sublimes (FDS) TENDON is also absent in nearly 20% of humans. There is no report of the anatomical variations of the TENDONs of hand in Iran, and we would like to report our findings in this matter.Method: Between October 2002 and October 2004, 417 medical students were examined. The presence of PL and 5th finger FDS TENDONs and the relationship between these two were recorded.Results: The PL TENDON in 21% and the 5th FDS in 8.4% were absent. There was no statistically significant difference between the genders and hand dominancy.Conclusions: The rate of absence of PL is the same as Europeans. Due to presence of 5th FDS TENDON in a high number of people, it may be a useful TENDON to be used for transfer.

Background & Aims: The Plantaris muscle is located in the SUPERFICIAL posterior compartment of the leg and is absent in some individuals. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the absence variation of Plantaris muscle and its possible relation with Palmaris longus and FIFTH SUPERFICIAL FLEXOR digitorum of the hand.Methods: 83 fresh cadavers, referred to legal medicine center, Kerman, Iran from April 2010 to November 2011 were enrolled in the study. Dissection was performed using mini incisions and the results were recorded in a questionnaire including presence or absence, length and width of the Plantaris and Palmaris longus TENDONs, and the presence or absence of the FIFTH SUPERFICIAL FLEXOR. The suitability of the Palmaris and Plantaris TENDONs was assessed using the previously described criteria and according to the criteria that are proposed by us.Results: 8 of the 83 cadavers showed variations. Plantaris TENDON was present in 80 (96.3%) and absent in 3 (3.7%), of which was absent bilaterally in two (2.3%) and unilaterally in one (1.2%).6 cadavers (7.2%) were deficient in Palmaris longus TENDON, 4 bilateral (4.8%) and 2 (2.3%) unilateral. Bilateral absence of FIFTH FLEXOR digitorum SUPERFICIALis was observed in 2 cadavers (2.3%) and one showed unilateral absence (1.2%).There was no statistically significant relationship (p<0.05) among the presence of Palmaris longus, plantaris and FIFTH SUPERFICIAL FLEXOR. The plantaris TENDON by far showed better characteristics for graft than the Palmaris TENDON.Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, considering the Plantaris TENDON for graft harvest seems logic, noting its high percentage of presence and better characteristics.

Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) has recently been used in resolving experimentally severed SUPERFICIAL FLEXOR TENDON which leads to acute TENDONitis. However, mechanism by which (TES) promote TENDON repair is not fully understood. In this study 4 right SUPERFICIAL FLEXOR TENDON of hind limb of horses were subjected to daily therapeutic regimen of TES for 10 minutes for 15 days using 100 Hz frequency and 80 s intensity (2.8 ±0.6 mA) after being severed in full length thickness in total length of 10 cm in the mid- TENDON area and similarly in another 4 right TENDON in control horses no treatment was applied. TENDONs were subjected to ultrasonographical, histological and, tensile strength evaluation which has been reported separately for publication and hydroxyproline content for 60 days after treatment. There were remarkable differences between hyroxyproline contents of severed TENDON with those of normal ones in control group, whereas there were not significant differences in treated TENDONs with those of normal ones in the same horses. This study suggests that using hydroxyproline content as a direct marker of the effect of TES on collagen content in injured TENDON.

This study aimed to investigate nuchal ligament (NL) autograft on experimental TENDON defect healing in donkeys. Eight healthy donkeys were used. The left forelimb’ s SUPERFICIAL digital FLEXOR (SDF) TENDON was assigned as treatment, and the right forelimb was allocated as the control group (without surgical intervention). A 3×1. 5 cm segment of the funicular part of the NL was excised. A full thickness defect created in the treatment TENDON and was grafted with the excised NL. The following parameters were evaluated in 120 days postoperatively: clinical, ultrasonography, radiography, histopathology, biomechanical properties, and scanning and electronic transmission microscopy. There were no significant changes observed in the neck angle so that it was confirmed this treatment regimen preserved the head and neck situation without any considerable neck swelling. Weight-bearing in gait and trot was similar between both forelimbs at the end of the study. Mild to moderate adhesion was detected in the dorsal surface of the SDF TENDON. There was no significant difference in the echogenicity and fiber alignment, respectively, on days 90 and 120 after surgery. Treatment significantly amplified the collagen diameter and enhanced the collagen fibril diameter and density considerably compared to the NL. The transplanted tissue was mostly in the remodeling or maturation phase, on day 120 postoperatively. It seems that the NL is biocompatible, almost biodegradable, and effective in TENDON healing without metaplasia or tissue rejection.

One of the most important organs in musculo – skeletal system is TENDONs that operate bones and muscles movement. One of these TENDONs is SUPERFICIAL digital FLEXOR TENDON in forelimb of horse that structure examination and normal physical condition of this TENDON is very important in clinical tests. Probable Injuries may happen to this TENDON that the most critical sign is TENDONitis that cause bow view in limb. The most incident site of damage is in middle metacarpal area that is B–level. Ultrasound is a valuable method in diagnosis of natural structures, TENDONitis and other diseases of TENDONs. In ultrasonographic study of SUPERFICIAL digital FLEXOR TENDON in B metacarpus level of cross bred Arab horses, average of measurements in transverse view was 0.4215±0.020 cm and in longitudinal view was 0.4300±0.022 cm which adapt with Cuesta and co-worker 's study that says thickness of SUPERFICIAL digital FLEXOR TENDON is not more than 9 mm.

Backgrounds: Several tests are used to assess the presence of palmaris longus TENDON. In the present study we attempted to assess the interobserver and intraobserver reliability of five of the most famous ones and also the examination of FIFTH SUPERFICIAL FLEXOR function.Methods: Two observers, who had been trained about the tests and had practiced on them, examined 105 volunteers on two separate occasions and in one-month interval and the results were recorded. The reliability of each method was assessed with Kappa measurement.Results: Kappa ranged from 0.541 (moderate reliability) to 0.813 (almost complete agreement) for Palmaris. The highest interobserver and intraobserver reliability and also the best agreement with other tests was the Shaeffer test. The lowest Kappa was for Thompson and the others had good to excellent reliability. Kappa for interobserver and intraobserver reliability for FIFTH FLEXOR was respectively 0.415 and 0.500 (moderate reliability). Conclusion: The tests that were assessed have good reliability except for Thompson that has a moderate one. It seems that the standard test (Schaeffer) is the best method for assessment of palmaris Longus absence or presence. The method assessed for evaluation of FIFTH SUPERFICIAL FLEXOR variations assessment has a moderate interobserver and intraobserver reliability.

Injuries to TENDONs are among the most common injuries in competition horses and represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The present study aimed at an eight-week period ultrasonographic and biomechanical assessments of collagenase induced tendinitis in forelimb SUPERFICIAL digital FLEXOR TENDON (SDFT) in donkeys. Four healthy male donkeys were used. 1000 U collagenase type I from Clostridium histolyticum was injected in the center of the SDFT guided by ultrasonography. Ultrasonographical images of the SDFT were recorded prior to injury and 8 weeks after confirmation of tendinitis on a weekly basis. Images were digitized and lesion area to cross-sectional TENDON area ratio (LA/TA ratios) was measured. At the end of the study period, the animals underwent tenectomy and TENDON samples were evaluated biomechanically. Collagenase induced tendinitis was confirmed ultrasonographically 10 days post-injection. The animals showed swelling and response to palpation, however, no lameness was found in animals within the study period. There were significant differences between the first and the FIFTH weeks in operated limbs ultrasonographically (p < 0. 05). The eight-week period is sufficient to assess the effect of various modalities in TENDON healing in the collagenase-induced model in the donkey. The development and expansion of collagenase induced tendinitis until week six after confirmation of tendinitis may disturb findings of the healing effect of various modalities in the TENDON, in which tendinitis is still expanding and may mask the healing effect of the modalities used.