Injury to the Collateral Cartilage and Collateral Ligament of the Distal Interphalangeal Joint Intern: Laura A. Axiak, DVM* Mentor: Natasha M. Werpy, DVM, Dipl. ACVR** University of Florida Large Animal Clinical Sciences* Diagnostic Imaging Department**

Signalment & History 11 year old Warmblood gelding                         Signalment & History 11 year old Warmblood gelding Event horse with long history of good performance Problem: right forelimb lameness of 3 months duration Previous treatment: routine coffin joint injections of both forelimbs  

Lameness Examination Straight trot on hard ground                         Lameness Examination Straight trot on hard ground Grade 2.5/5 right forelimb Circling on hard ground Right forelimb lameness is exacerbated circling to the right Palpation No significant sensitivities identified Flexion Test Negative to proximal and distal limb flexion Hoof Testers No response  

Lameness Video

Circling Left

Circling Right

Diagnostic Analgesia RF Palmar Digital Nerve Block                         Diagnostic Analgesia RF Palmar Digital Nerve Block 90% improvement RF Abaxial Sesamoid Nerve Block no additional improvement Lameness did not switch to left forelimb  

Problem List Grade 2.5/5 right forelimb lameness Localized to the foot                         Problem List Grade 2.5/5 right forelimb lameness Localized to the foot Exacerbated circling right No palpable sensitivities No response to hoof testers  

Differential Diagnoses                         Differential Diagnoses Lesions causing foot lameness are primarily caused by degenerative or traumatic injury localized to these structures:1 Bones: navicular bone, middle phalanx, distal phalanx Tendons: deep digital flexor tendon, common digital extensor tendon Ligaments: collateral sesamoidean ligament, impar ligament, collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal joint, distal digital annular ligament, chondrocoronal ligaments Synovial structures: distal interphalangeal joint, navicular bursa, distal aspect of the digital tendon sheath Other differentials may include foot pain, laminitis, keratoma, space occupying lesions, abscess or infection

Diagnostic Plan Radiographs of the Foot Ultrasound                         Diagnostic Plan Radiographs of the Foot Lateral Projection Survey view of the distal phalanx, middle phalanx, navicular bone and articular surfaces Horizontal DP Projection Used to evaluate the distal interphalangeal joint space 65-degree Dorsoproximal-Palmarodistal Oblique Aids in evaluation of the distal margin of the navicular bone Palmaroproximal-Palmarodistal Oblique (Skyline) Used to evaluate the navicular bone flexor surface and corticomedullary distinction in the navicular bone, as well as the palmar processes of the distal phalanx Ultrasound Advanced Imaging (MRI or CT)  

Right Fore Foot Radiographs                         Right Fore Foot Radiographs Horizontal DP Lateral

65 degree Dorsoproximal-Palmarodistal Oblique Right Fore Foot Radiographs 65 degree Dorsoproximal-Palmarodistal Oblique Lateral White Outline: Mild enlargement of the lateral fossa of the distal phalanx with focal lucency at the insertion of the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP Joint)

Diagnostic Plan Radiographs Ultrasound of the Foot                         Diagnostic Plan Radiographs Ultrasound of the Foot Dorsal approach at and immediately proximal to coronary band is used to evaluate: Dorsal recess of the DIP Joint Chondrocoronal ligaments and collateral ligaments of the DIP Joint Palmar approach between the heel bulbs is used to evaluate: Proximal aspect of the navicular bone flexor surface Deep digital flexor tendon Distal digital annular ligament, collateral sesamoidean ligament Distal aspect of the digital tendon sheath, proximopalmar recess of the DIP Joint, proximal recess of the navicular bursa Transcuneal (through the frog) approach is used to evaluate: Distal aspect of the navicular bone flexor surface Impar ligament Distal recess of the navicular bursa, distopalmar recess of the DIP Joint Advanced Imaging (MRI or CT)  

Dorsal Ultrasound Approach                         Dorsal Ultrasound Approach CC P2 CL CL P2 P3 KEY DIP – dorsal recess of the DIP Joint EP – extensor process of the distal phalanx (P3) P2 – middle phalanx CC – collateral cartilage CL – collateral ligament Collateral Ligaments of the DIP Joint Originate on medial and lateral eminences of P2 Insert in collateral fossae (depressions) of P3 medial and lateral to the EP At level of coronary band 10 and 2 o’clock Concavity of P2 Oval in shape

Ultrasound of the Collateral Ligaments of the DIP Joint                         Ultrasound of the Collateral Ligaments of the DIP Joint Probe Position Longitudinal Probe Position Transverse   Dorsal recess of DIP Joint

Right Fore Ultrasound Images                         Right Fore Ultrasound Images MCL and LCL side by side images *Palmar is to the left of each image * *   MCL LCL LCL P2 P2 P2 White Arrow: Area of well defined fiber disruption in the dorsal aspect of the LCL of the DIP Joint at the level of the middle phalanx Red Arrows: Peri-ligamentous tissue proliferation and swelling with edema and/or displaced ligament fibers

Right Fore Ultrasound Images                         Right Fore Ultrasound Images Dorsal recess of DIP Joint LCL of the DIP Joint *Palmar is to the left of each image * *   DIP LCL P2 P2 Dorsal recess of DIP Joint White Arrows: Moderate proliferative synovitis in the DIP Joint Red Arrow: Peri-ligamentous tissue proliferation and swelling

Diagnostic Plan Radiographs of the Foot Ultrasound                         Diagnostic Plan Radiographs of the Foot Ultrasound Advanced Imaging (MRI or CT) High-field MRI of the right fore foot was performed using multiplanar proton density with and without fat suppression, T2-weighted FSE, STIR and steady-state free precession sequences Comparative images of the left fore foot were included in the study  

Proton Density (PD) Transverse Images                         LCL Fiber Disruption Localizer Proton Density (PD) Transverse Images Lateral   Palmar White Arrows: Extensive fiber disruption in the LCL of the DIP Joint throughout its length

T2-weighted Dorsal PD Frontal PD Frontal Localizer Lateral Lateral PD Frontal   Distal Distal Localizer White Arrows: DIP Joint recess extension into region of fiber disruption in the LCL of the DIP Joint

LCL Injury: Ultrasound Compared to MRI                         LCL Injury: Ultrasound Compared to MRI Palmar   Palmar

Partial Thickness Articular Cartilage Defects in DIP Joint PD Sagittal T2-weighted Dorsal   Lateral Lateral Distal Distal

                        MRI Diagnosis Extensive fiber disruption in the LCL of the DIP Joint throughout its length Separation of the lateral collateral cartilage (LCC) from the lateral palmar process of the distal phalanx DIP Joint recess extends into region of fiber disruption in the LCL of the DIP Joint in the area where the LCC is separated from the distal phalanx Mild to moderate resorption of the lateral fossa of the distal phalanx  

Additional MRI Findings                         Additional MRI Findings Moderate proliferative synovitis in the DIP Joint Mild to moderate multifocal partial thickness articular cartilage defects in the DIP Joint with moderate proliferative synovitis  

                        Comments The alterations in the fluid distribution and the appearance of fiber disruption are likely explained by the differences between weight bearing US images and non-weight bearing MRI images  

Positive Contrast Arthrogram (PCA) of the DIP Joint                         Positive Contrast Arthrogram (PCA) of the DIP Joint PCA performed post-MRI as a possible method for monitoring healing, to aid in determining the best time frame for a recheck MRI and to confirm communication with DIP Joint  

Positive Contrast Arthrogram (PCA) of the DIP Joint                         Positive Contrast Arthrogram (PCA) of the DIP Joint Horizontal DP View 65 Degree Dorsoproximal-Palmarodistal Oblique Lateral Lateral Lateral  

MRI Compared to Arthrogram                         MRI Compared to Arthrogram Lateral Lateral   Distal White Arrows: DIP Joint recess extension into region of fiber disruption in the LCL of the DIP Joint

MRI Compared to Arthrogram                         MRI Compared to Arthrogram Lateral Lateral   Dorsal Red Box: DIP Joint recess extension into region of LCL of the DIP Joint White Box: No contrast identified in region of MCL of the DIP joint Dorsal

                        Therapeutic Plan Treatment: Ultrasound-guided intra-lesional injection of lateral collateral ligament of the DIP joint with regenerative therapies (stem cells or PRP) Rehabilitation Program: Rest and hand walking for 4-6 months with recheck diagnostic imaging before any increase in exercise  

                        Prognosis LCL and LCC injury is severe representing permanent structural injury Extensive fiber disruption in LCL with dorsal DIP joint extension into lesion will have a prolonged healing time Prognosis for return to previous level of exercise is fair to poor  

                        Discussion Injuries to the collateral ligament of the DIP Joint occur frequently in the axial margin towards the palmar aspect of the ligament at the insertion on the distal phalanx.2,3 Associated osseous abnormalities may include enthesophyte formation, bone fluid, bone loss or the development of an osseous cyst-like lesion.4

                        Osseous injuries are reported to have a higher incidence in the distal phalanx immediately distal and palmar to the insertion of the collateral ligament rather than at the origin on the middle phalanx.3,5 Infrequently, it may be possible to see these changes radiographically, but the majority of these injuries are diagnosed using MRI.4  

                        In our experience, collateral ligament tears are frequently occupied by the DIP Joint recesses, especially when located at the level of the DIP Joint or the distal phalanx. A PCA could be a consideration in cases with an osseous cyst-like lesion on radiographs and ultrasound abnormalities that are not able to have a MRI study. In addition, this case demonstrates injury to the collateral cartilage in conjunction with collateral ligament injury.  

                        Outcome We have seen several cases. However, only two cases have had a recheck MRI study. On a 7 month post-injury recheck MRI the collateral ligament had improved, but still had significant abnormalities. However, the collateral cartilages remained fully separated from the distal phalanx and this space was occupied by the DIP Joint recess.  

                        Acknowledgements The authors would like to acknowledge Dr. Christiana Ober and Dr. Lisa Casinella for referring this interesting case.  

Further Reading & References                         Further Reading & References Vallance SA, Bell RJ, Spriet M, et al. Comparisons of computed tomography, contrast-enhanced computed tomography and standing low-field magnetic resonance imaging in horses with lameness localised to the foot. Part 2: Lesion identification. Equine Vet J. 2012;44:149-56. Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD, White NA, Werpy NM, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging findings of desmopathy of the collateral ligaments of the equine distal interphalangeal joint. Vet Rad & Ultrasound. 2009;50:21-31. Dyson S, Blunden T, Murray R. The collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal joint: Magnetic resonance imaging and post mortem observations in 25 lame and 12 control horses. Equine Vet J. 2008;40:538-544. Dakin SG, Dyson SJ, Murray RC, et al. Osseous abnormalities associated with collateral desmopathy of the distal interphalangeal joint: Part 1. Equine Vet J. 2009;41:786-793. Dyson SJ, Murray R, Schramme M, et al. Collateral desmitis of the distal interphalangeal joint in 18 horses (2001-2002). Equine Vet J. 2004;36:160-166.