This study aimed to treat SDF tendonitis in the forelimbs of horses by application of cold therapy (ice) followed by controlled exercise program. The effect of this treatment was healing, disappearance of the pain and functional rehabilitation of the treated horses.
(15) Working horses of varying breeds, sex, age (3-19) years suffering from acute superficial digital flexor tendonitis was used for this study from the beginning of September 2008 to the beginning of September 2010 in Kirkuk, Iraq.
All the cases were followed up clinically. Swelling and thickness in the affected parts were measured during treatment period. Swelling was reduced after the treatment by the ice with significant variation (P< 0.05) in the (anterior-posterior and groove’s depth) aspects of sub-metacarpal bone area and (anterior-posterior) aspect of mid-metacarpal bone region. A significant variation (P<0.01) was shown in the (lateral-medial) aspect of sub-metacarpal region and in (anterior-posterior and lateral-medial) aspects of the distal part of the 3rd metacarpal bone region. A significant variation P<0.001 revealed in the (depth groove) aspect of the distal part of the 3rd metacarpal bone area. While there was no significant variance was shown in the (lateral-medial and groove’s depth) aspects of mid-metacarpal bone area.
Clinical finding appeared that the functional recovery in treated limbs was improved. This study concluded that cold therapy (ice) was easy, non expensive method, aided to recovery of SDF tendinitis and hasn’t any side effects.