Page 412 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

THOROUGHPIN

A thoroughpin is a swelling of the tarsal sheath which encloses the deep digital flexor tendon
VetBooks.ir as it passes over the hock. The swelling occurs in front of the Achilles tendon just above the

point of the hock (Figures 9.4a and b). The condition tends to be more common in horses
with straight hocks. It is rarely associated with lameness and the swelling may be

spontaneously resorbed over a period of time. Treatment is rarely necessary. If the swelling is
large, drainage followed by a local injection of corticosteroid may reduce the blemish.

Figures 9.4a and b Thoroughpin: a) front view; b) rear view

Acute tenosynovitis

Common examples include:

• tenosynovitis of the common digital extensor tendon sheath as it passes over the knee
(Figure 9.5)

• inflammation of the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) at the back of the fetlock and

pastern
• inflammation of the tarsal sheath.