Patellartendinosis: an equine disease state?
Project overview
Participants
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Short summary
Soft tissues around the kneecap (patella) as a cause of equine lameness is an area yet to be scientifically investigated but that is often clinically treated with “alternative” methods without an established diagnosis.
In human medicine, patellar tendinosis is a widespread and verified diagnosis. Degenerative changes with pathological vascular and nerve ingrowth in the patellar tendon are believed to be the cause of the pain, not inflammation. However, the corresponding pathology, innervation of the various soft tissue structures around the knee joint, and diagnostics are rarely described in veterinary literature.
We have identified a number of horses with chronic lameness (verified by objective motion analysis) where ultrasound has shown damage to the patellar ligament. The aim of the project is therefore to investigate whether patellar tendinosis is a disease in horses, using advanced research expertise in biomechanics, imaging diagnostics, and pathology to produce clinical diagnostic tools and treatment proposals based on scientific evidence.
The project aims to explain in more detail the normal anatomy, histology, and diagnostic imaging of the area; a systematic clinical examination methodology and diagnostic imaging procedure; investigate the relationship between ultrasound findings and objective measurements of patellar instability, as well as methods for diagnostic anesthesia in the area; explore pathophysiological mechanisms in the patellar ligament using advanced imaging diagnostics and immunohistological methods.
As lameness is the most common reason why animal owners seek veterinary care for their horses, this is a very important area. Hind limb lameness is difficult to diagnose. Many horses have to end their competitive careers and are sometimes even euthanized due to chronic hind limb lameness that veterinarians have been unable to diagnose or cure. If patellar tendinosis proves to be a common cause of chronic pain in horses that we could easily diagnose and treat in the future, this is an extremely important study to conduct.
Collaborations
The project is being carried out in collaboration with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU).