PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

H M Burbidge

Publications and source records attributed to H M Burbidge.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Tendonitis of the branches of insertion of the superficial digital flexor tendon in horses.

OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical findings, ultrasonographic features and outcome of injury to the branches of insertion of the superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendon in horses. DESIGN: Retrospective study of 14 cases. PROCEDURE: Fourteen Thoroughbred horses with tendonitis affecting the branches of insertion of the SDF tendon were examined for lameness, location and amount of swelling, and the presence of other musculoskeletal abnormalities. The flexor tendons were assessed by ultrasonographic examination, and recommendations were made for management of the cases. Outcome was assessed by re-examination of some horses, direct communication with the owner or trainer, and examination of race records. RESULTS: The lateral SDF branch was affected in 10 horses; the medial branch in three, and both branches in one horse. Two horses had concurrent injuries to the SDF tendon in the metacarpal region of the contralateral limb. Ultrasonographic findings included swelling of the affected SDF branch, peritendinous fluid accumulation, disruption of normal fibre alignment on sagittal scan, and variable loss of echogenicity. As healing occurred, there was return of normal echogenicity, but normal fibre alignment did not return completely and apparent adhesions formed between the affected SDF branch and adjacent structures. Seven of 10 horses which returned to their previous use were able to compete without further tendon injury. Recurrence of injury occurred in one case, and another two horses developed tendonitis in the metacarpal region. One horse was retired from racing but was able to compete at dressage without recurrence of injury. Two horses were retired for breeding without returning to training, and one horse was sold and lost to follow up but did not race. CONCLUSION: The prognosis is fair for return to previous use following injury to the branches of insertion of the SDF tendon in athletic horses.

Animals

Superficial digital flexor tendonitis in thoroughbred race horses: outcome following non-surgical treatment and superior check desmotomy.

OBJECTIVE: This study documents the results of non-surgical treatment and treatment by superior check desmotomy in Thoroughbred racehorses with superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendonitis. DESIGN: A prospective study was made of 124 thoroughbred racehorses with unilateral or bilateral SDF tendonitis. PROCEDURE: The flexor tendons were assessed by physical and ultrasonographic examination before treatment, and the lesions detected in affected tendons were characterised according to lesion type, length and cross-sectional area. Ninety three horses were managed non-surgically and 31 by superior check desmotomy. Recurrent or new injuries were defined as injuries affecting a previously injured superficial digital flexor tendon, the contralateral SDF tendon, or the suspensory ligament (interosseous muscle) in either forelimb. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found in ultrasonographic lesion severity between treatment groups. Horses managed by superior check desmotomy were 1.3 times more likely to complete five or more races than horses managed non-surgically (95% confidence limits 0.93-1.82). Horses treated surgically were 1.2 times more likely to develop recurrent or new injuries after returning to training than horses managed non-surgically (95% CL 0.95-1.55). Horses undergoing superior check desmotomy were 5.5 times more likely to develop suspensory desmitis than horses treated non-surgically (95% CL 1.13-26.4). There was no difference in the time to recurrent or new injury between treatment groups. CONCLUSION: There was no statistically significant difference between treatment groups in the proportions of horses able to complete five or more races after an episode of superficial digital flexor tendonitis. Superior check desmotomy did not appear to offer an advantage over non-surgical treatment in preventing recurrent or new injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses. Horses undergoing superior check desmotomy appeared to be at greater risk of developing suspensory ligament injuries than horses managed non-surgically.

Animals

Post natal development of canine caudal cervical vertebrae.

The morphology and post natal ossification of the fifth, sixth and seventh cervical vertebrae of 51 crossbred puppies (aged from birth to 12 weeks) were examined grossly, histologically and radiographically. At birth there were two centres of ossification, one in the vertebral body and one in the base of each pedicle of the neural arch. By one month of age secondary centres of ossification were present in the cranial and caudal epiphyses of the vertebral body. By two months of age these epiphyseal centres began to show signs of closure. Endochondral ossification of the neural arch occurred from a single centre of ossification within each pedicle with bony fusion of the laminae occurring by one month of age. In addition the dimensions of the neural canal were measured. The difference between the caudal and cranial sagittal diameters of each vertebra was 1 mm or less. It was concluded that, after one month of age, the shape of the neural canal can be influenced only by changes within the physes between the vertebral body and the neural arch or by the remodelling of bone formed by intramembranous ossification.

Animals

An experimental evaluation of castellated laryngofissure and bilateral arytenoid lateralisation for the relief of laryngeal paralysis in dogs.

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of 2 surgical procedures for providing an adequate laryngeal airway in dogs after surgically induced laryngeal paralysis. The laryngeal function of 10 healthy, adult experimental dogs was assessed by clinical examination, laryngoscopy, arterial blood gas measurement and analysis of tidal breathing flow-volume loops before, and after, bilateral recurrent laryngeal neurectomy. A castellated laryngofissure with vocal fold resection was done on 5 dogs and bilateral arytenoid cartilage lateralisation performed on the remaining 5 dogs. Six weeks later, the laryngeal function of the 10 dogs was reassessed, before the dogs were killed and a necropsy performed. The visible changes in laryngeal structure were recorded. Both surgical procedures alleviated some of the airway obstruction caused by the bilateral recurrent laryngeal neurectomy, but bilateral arytenoid cartilage lateralisation produced more consistent clinical improvement, a wider rima glottidis, increased inspiratory air flow and a significant increase in post-operative arterial oxygen tension.

Animals

Correlation between radiographic and arthroscopic findings in the equine carpus.

The radiographic and arthroscopic findings in 150 carpal joints in 114 lame horses were compared. Chip, slab, or sagittal fractures were identified in 130 (87%) joints. In 101 (78%) of these there was good agreement between radiographic and arthroscopic findings on the number and position of fractures. In 23 (18%) joints, chip fractures additional to those seen radiographically were found arthroscopically. In one joint a large chip fracture from the craniolateral aspect of the distal radius was identified only by arthroscopy, while in 6 joints fractures were identified only by radiography. Observed causes of lameness, other than intra-articular fractures, included degenerative joint disease, synovitis, ruptured intra-carpal ligaments, and haemarthrosis. Correlation between the radiographic and arthroscopic assessment of degenerative joint disease was poor. It was concluded that both radiography and arthroscopy should be used to obtain the most accurate assessment of the equine carpus.

Animals

Iohexol myelography in the horse.

Iohexol, a water soluble non-ionic contrast agent, was evaluated for myelography in the horse. Both 300 and 350 mg iodine/ml iohexol gave diagnostic cervical myelograms. Pathological changes were limited to extradural oedema and an increase in the number of white blood cells and specific gravity in the cerebrospinal fluid two days after myelography. This increase in white blood cells in the cerebrospinal fluid was, however, much less than that recorded by other authors using metrizamide and iopamidol contrast media. These findings indicate that iohexol is a less irritant myelographic contrast agent than those previously evaluated in the horse.

Animals

A review of laryngeal paralysis in dogs.

Laryngeal paralysis is now a frequently recognized disorder, particularly in older dogs of certain breeds such as the Labrador retriever, Afghan Hound and Irish Setter. The presenting signs may consist of exercise intolerance, inspiratory stridor, inspiratory dyspnoea, gagging, coughing and dysphonia. Two forms of laryngeal paralysis exist, hereditary and acquired. The hereditary form is found in young dogs and transmitted by an autosomal dominant gene. At present little is known about the aetiology of acquired laryngeal paralysis and therefore treatment is directed at relieving the laryngeal obstruction. Recent reports indicate that arytenoid lateralization achieves the best results as a method of surgical correction.

Animals

The accuracy and reliability of linear measurements of the ulna for anthropometrical studies in dogs.

This study investigated the accuracy and reliability of measuring the distance between two surface landmarks (the point of the tuber olecrani and the proximal aspect of the stopper pad) as an indication of ulna length in the live dog. It was found that the chosen skin landmarks did correlate well with the length of the ulna bone. The reliability of such measurements was high when performed by a single person, however this fell to unacceptable levels when multiple people were used to make the measurements. It was concluded that if this technique was to be used in studies to serially record the bone length in live growing dogs, then the measurements should be taken by a single person.

Analysis of Variance

Ununited anconeal process: lag-screw fixation.

A technique of lag-screw fixation for ununited anconeal process is described, and the results of surgery in eight dogs (on 10 elbows) treated by this technique are presented. Approximation of the process was confirmed postoperatively, and union was confirmed by radiographic followup in six of the 10 forelimbs from two-to-six months after surgery. Four other cases were lost to radiographic follow-up. This report of a limited number of cases suggests encouraging results obtained by lag-screw fixation.

Animals

Reconstruction of the medial collateral ligament for tarsocrural luxation in the dog: a preliminary study.

Seven cases of tarsocrural subluxation/luxation resulting from ruptures of the medial collateral ligament were treated by double prosthetic replacement. The technique was a revision of an earlier described method without the use of metallic implants. Six (100%) of six cases not involving additional joint fractures had excellent clinical results with minimal compromise to range of joint motion. In three (50%) of six cases where braided polyester sutures were implanted as the prosthesis, fistulating tracts developed. Drainage resolved with removal of the suture in each of these three cases, and two of the three proceeded to excellent results after replacing the braided suture with monofilament suture.

Animals

The canine intervertebral disk: part one: structure and function.

Intervertebral disk disease continues to be a common and debilitating condition of dogs. In the first of a two-part article on the canine intervertebral disk, the microscopic and ultrastructural anatomy of the normal, nonchondrodystrophoid disk is described. Specific attention is placed on elements of the structure which impart important functional attributes. Finally, the role of the intervertebral disk in providing flexibility to the vertebral column is discussed, with a description of its biomechanical properties and reaction to compressive loads.

Animals

The canine intervertebral disk. Part Two: Degenerative changes--nonchondrodystrophoid versus chondrodystrophoid disks.

In the second of a two-part article on the canine intervertebral disk, the morphological changes which occur within the disk during aging and degeneration are described. Degeneration of the intervertebral disk appears to be a self-perpetuating process as a consequence of disruption to the annulus fibrosus, cellular remodeling, altered biomechanical loading, and nutritional deficiencies. In the nonchondrodystrophoid disk, premature acceleration of the aging process can occur following traumatic disruption to the annulus fibrosus. This degeneration usually occurs in isolated disks along the length of the vertebral column. By contrast, disk degeneration in the chondrodystrophoid breeds occurs simultaneously in all disks along the vertebral column and usually is well advanced by two years of age. Ultrastructural differences between the intervertebral disk of the nonchondrodystrophoid dog and that of the chondrodystrophoid dog may explain the rapidity and severity of degenerative changes in the latter breeds.

Aging