Evaluation of morphometric measures of tendons and metacarpal ligaments by ultrasonography in Colombian creole horses

Evaluación de medidas morfométricas de tendones y ligamentos metacarpales palmares por ultrasonografía en caballos criollos colombianos

Objective. To determine the ultrasonographic morphometric parameters of the palmar metacarpal tendons and ligaments of clinically healthy Colombian creole horses. Materials and methods. Thirty clinically healthy Colombian creole horses of 6.4 ± 2.5 years were evaluated in different areas of the department of Córdoba (Colombia). The variables cross-sectional area (cm2), medial lateral width (ALM) (cm) and dorsal palmar thickness (EDP) (cm) in the structures of the metacarpal region in the two anterior members were measured by means of ultrasound. Results. Ultrasonography revealed that the transverse area of the suspensory ligament was the structure with the largest area in the proximal regions (1A, 1B and 2A), for both the left and right limbs. On the other hand, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between left and right limb for measurements of structures in any area, and there was no significant difference between age groups and body mass index (BMI) of horses. Conclusions. Reference values for tendons and ligaments in the palmar metacarpal region were obtained in equines providing a reference guide when metacarpal pathological conditions in equines are suspected.