Five cases of gastrocnemius tendinitis in the horse

The normal gastrocnemius tendon may contain some muscular tissue proximally. This results in a patchy echogenicity ultrasonographically where it lies caudal or lateral to the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT). When it has assumed a position dorsal (cranial) to the SDFT the gastrocnemius tendon has a more uniform echogenicity and its margins are well defined. Five horses had lameness associated with lesions identified ultrasonographically in the gastrocnemius tendon in the latter region. Lameness ranged from mild to severe and was characterised by reduced hock flexion, lowered arc of foot flight, shortened length of the cranial phase of the stride and in some horses a reduced duration of weight bearing during the caudal phase of the stride. Lameness was variably accentuated by flexion of the proximal or distal limb joints of the lame limb. Perineural analgesia of the tibial and fibular nerves or the tibial nerve alone substantially improved the lameness. All horses remained lame 2-3 months after initial examination, with minimal change in the ultrasonographic appearance of the lesion(s).