Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation on the Repair of Severed Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon in Horses

Abstract

Problem statement: The main aim was to clinical assessment of the ultrasonographic changes of transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation after inducing injury in the SDFT in horses. Approach: Using 8 adults’ castrated horses having 350-550 Kgbw with 4-6 years of age. The left hind limb and right fore-limb Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon (SDFT) were splitted longitudinally at mid metatarsal and metacarpal regions in full thickness of 10 cm in length using B.P.blade 15 time strikes, then the connective tissue and skin was approximated using No 2 Nylon. Horses were divided into two groups of control and treated with 4 horses each. No treatment was given to control one, whereas treated group was subjected to transcutaneous neural electrical stimulation for 10 min daily with intensity of 80 µs and 100 Hz frequency over 14 days using TENS apparatus newtens 900c. Ultrasonograhic examination was done using Pie Medical 200 Vet Apparatus in 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 45 and 60 days measuring Cross-Sectional Area (CSA) of SDFT in operated limbs in each horse. For assessing the variation in this finding the Repeated Measure Analysis of Variance was used. Results: After comparing the healing process between two groups, it was significantly accelerated in treated with therapeutic ultrasound. Pain relief, swelling, tenderness, heat and functional recovery in treated with therapeutic ultrasound significantly improved comparing to control group. There was significant effect on reducing lameness in treated group by 28 days after splitting, whereas lameness persisted till 60 days in control group. Ultrasonography findings showed significant decrease in SDFT diameters and Cross Sectional Area (CSA) in the treated limbs comparing with control. Conclusion: Clinically speeding wound healing beside complete reduction of swelling, pain and lameness, its application significantly accelerated functional recovery affected limb.