Is degenerative change within hindlimb suspensory ligaments a prelude to all types of injury?

Comparison of limb kinematics between collected and lengthened (medium/extended) trot in two groups of dressage horses on two different surfaces

“…Increased hindlimb fetlock extension at medium and extended trots supports previous findings . There is an association between static or dynamic hindlimb fetlock overextension and injury of the hindlimb suspensory apparatus . The current findings suggest that although hindlimb fetlock extension occurred in both groups of horses, the mean value for each trot type did not indicate dynamic hyperextension at the trot, previously defined as the fetlock marker being distal to the coronary band marker at peak fetlock extension .…”

Management of hindlimb proximal suspensory desmopathy by neurectomy of the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve and plantar fasciotomy: 155 horses (2003–2008)

“…2006; Schenkman et al . 2009; Miller and Juzwiak 2010; Dyson 2010). Anecdotally, there are also reports of horses experiencing catastrophic breakdowns of the SL after neurectomy and fasciotomy, usually in association with conformational abnormalities.…”

“…It was recommended that horses in Group 2 should not undergo neurectomy and fasciotomy because of previous experience of deterioration in lameness post operatively in horses with such conformational features (Dyson 2010). However, contrary to recommendations, these 5 horses did undergo surgery elsewhere but were subsequently re-evaluated at the AHT.…”

B‐mode and power Doppler ultrasonography of the equine suspensory ligament branches: A descriptive study on 13 horses

“…B‐mode ultrasonography is commonly used to investigate equine tendons and has been demonstrated to be a reliable and cost‐effective method to locate abnormalities of suspensory ligament branches . At B‐mode ultrasonographic examination, lesions of the suspensory ligament branches are reported to improve slowly, frequently persist long‐term (longer than 18 months), and the degree of ultrasonographic abnormality does not appear proportionate to the degree of lameness . Persistence of ultrasonographic abnormalities beyond the return to clinical normality and athletic activity is common .…”

“…The injuries of the suspensory ligament can be divided in relation to the affected area: lesions restricted to the proximal one third (proximal suspensory desmopathies), lesions of the middle third, sometimes extending into the proximal third (body lesions) and lesions of the medial and/or lateral branch (branch lesions) . Pain originating from the origin of the suspensory ligament has been diagnosed in horses with increasing frequency in recent years and lesions of the suspensory ligament branches have been regularly reported . Brightness‐mode (B‐mode) ultrasonography is an easily available modality to image the suspensory ligament and its bone surface insertions.…”