What is the Suspensory Ligament?
The suspensory ligament runs along the back of the cannon bone attaching the top of the cannon bone to the sesamoid bones at the fetlock joint. Along with the distal sesamoidean ligaments, the suspensory ligament forms the sling that supports the fetlock. The name of the ligament reflects the suspension of the fetlock. The anatomically correct name for the suspensory ligament is the third interosseous muscle, which reflects the presence of muscle fibers within the ligament. What causes lameness in the Suspensory Ligament? There are several types of injuries that can happen to the suspensory ligament. It is like any other tendon or ligament, which can get stretched beyond its capacity, causing tearing of the fibers, swelling within the structure, resulting in the classic bow. During times of overextension of the fetlock, small pieces of bone at the attachments of the suspensory ligament may be torn loose of the bone. These are known as avulsion fractures. There is also a class disease t
