Load redistribution after desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon in adult horses.

An analysis of joint moments was used to study the biomechanical implications, load redistribution and kinematic pattern following desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (AL) in adult horses. Recordings of 6 sound horses were made before and 10 days after desmotomy of the AL of the right forelimb at the walk and the trot. Kinematic recordings of the right forelimb and the left distal forelimb were made using the CODA-3 system. Kinetic recordings of the ground reaction forces in both forelimbs were made using a Kistler force plate simultaneously with the kinematic recordings. Radiographic localisation of the CODA-3 markers in both distal limbs allowed an analysis of coffin and fetlock joint moments, moment arms and forces in the digital flexor tendons. No transfer of load from the operated to the contralateral limb was found. In the operated limb the total joint moment of the coffin joint decreased substantially due to a reduced moment arm of the vertical ground reaction force component during the entire stance phase, while the fetlock joint moment decreased only slightly. To compensate for the loss of AL function, the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) took a higher load during midstance, while at the end of the stance phase, the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) carried a higher load with a marked load peak just before heel off. While the compensation was adequate during midstance (no changes in maximal hyperextension of the fetlock joint), a prolonged hyperextension of the fetlock joint together with a rapid flexion at the start of the swing phase indicated that the DDFT was unable to compensate completely for the loss of AL function. It was concluded that the changes in total joint moments and increases in loading of the SDFT and DDFT allow locomotion without serious overloading of the compensating tendons following AL desmotomy.