Finally! Some Good Data on DDF Tenotomy for Laminitis

Although the procedure has been promoted for decades, mixed results with disparate outcomes have been reported for deep digital flexor tendon tenotomy (DDFT) as a treatment for refractory cases of chronic laminitis.

Researchers from the New Bolton Center at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine conducted a retrospective descriptive study of outcomes for 71 horses (8% of 864 horses hospitalized with laminitis) that received a DDFT over a 12-year period. The distribution of males and females, as well as breeds seemed to generally follow that of the referral population with Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses and Standardbred horses most common. The median age was 9 years.

Horses selected for tenotomy tended to have higher Obel lameness scores and have rotation but no signs of sinking. The likelihood of laminitis complications increased with each year of age. However, horses that underwent a DDFT were much more likely to show improvement 3-6 months after discharge. While not a cure, the authors regard the procedure as a viable option for improving the quality of life and welfare of horses with severe laminitis. The dramatic improvement seen at 3-6 months also suggests that when combined with corrective shoeing, DDFT is not just a salvage procedure but can also offer clinically significant improvement for horses returning to light work.

— Orsini JA and Stefanovski D. JAVMA 2026. DOI: 10.2460/javma.25.12.0839

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