CASE HISTORY
SUSPENSORY BRANCH DESMITIS
​Equine Medical Associates, Kentucky
Jim Morehead, DVM
Peggy Marsh, DVM, dip. ACVIM, dip. ACVECC
www.eqmedical.com

Name:
​redacted

​Breed:
Thoroughbred

​Sex:
Gelding

​Use:
Racing prospect

​Age:
2013

Diagnosis/Condition:
lateral suspensory branch desmitis

Site:
LH

Injury Date:
December 2014

Lameness Grade:
​0/5

Chronicity:
​Chronic
Pre- Tx notes:
First noted as swelling over the lateral sesamoid Dec 2014, the limited training was stopped and the horse was turned out; April 2015 first ultrasound revealed lateral suspensory branch desmitis - controlled exercise and limited turnout was recommended; serial ultrasound examinations in June and July revealed no real trend except ongoing evidence of enlarged branch with fiber changes noted at the attachment, there was a trend towards enlargement when allowed more turnout time.
Horse History:
n/a

​# of RLT Tx's:
24

​Protocols & Settings:
​as prescribed in guidebook
Rehabilitation protocols:
Handwalking every day post Tx
Other Therapies used:
none
​

​Findings and notes here:
​
Conclusion:
Although improvement was noted over time with the size of the branch, the fiber pattern at the attachment showed a tendency to become more irregular with any increase in exercise or turnout time. Current plan is to turnout long term.
Before RLT
After RLT
Picture
April 2015
Picture
Dec 2015