Ultrasonographic evaluation of morphometric measurements of plantar metatarsal tendons and ligaments in Colombian Creole horses

Evaluación ultrasonográfica de medidas morfométricas de tendones y ligamentos metatarsianos plantares en caballos criollos colombianos

Objective. The objective of the present study was to determine the morphometric values ​​of the plantar metatarsal tendons and ligaments in clinically healthy animals. Materials and methods. Thirty animals were used throughout the study, the plantar metatarsal tendons and ligaments were evaluated starting from the plantaromedial aspect of the proximal region to the insertion of the suspensory branches in the sesamoids bones. The variables to be studied in each structure were cross-sectional area (cm2), lateral medial width (ALM) (cm) and dorsal palmar thickness (EDP) (cm). Results. It was found that the structure with the largest area in the proximal regions was the suspensory ligament (0.858 cm²) followed by the lateral digital flexor (0.759 cm²), in regions 1B and 2A the largest structure remained the suspensory ligament and in the region 2B, the deep digital flexor tendon was the largest structure (0.804 cm²). Conclusions. The behavior of the variables in the Colombian Creole Horse is similar to that reported in the literature and finally the reference values ​​of the morphometric measurements of plantar metatarsal tendons and ligaments in this breed are presented.

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