Tearing of the Medial Palmar Intercarpal Ligament in Horses

This injury, first described in 1990, most commonly involves the medial palmar intercarpal ligament but may involve the lateral palmar intercarpal ligament. A typical presentation is synovitis and capsulitis unresponsive to therapy or the presence of carpal chip fragments with an untoward amount of lameness. Diagnosis is made arthroscopically, and treatment is arthroscopic debridement of the torn fibers. Prognosis depends on the degree of tearing, as well as lack or presence of concurrent subchondral bone damage.