Shear-Wave and ARFI Elastography in the Evaluation of Equine Tendon Injuries: A Review

Background: Tendon injuries represent one of the most frequent causes of lameness and performance loss in horses. Conventional B-mode ultrasonography remains the primary diagnostic tool, but its qualitative nature limits the evaluation of tissue stiffness and microstructural recovery. Shear-Wave Elastography (SWE) and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) imaging have recently emerged as promising quantitative ultrasound techniques to assess the biomechanical integrity of tendons. Methods: This review summarizes recent studies from ۲۰۱۵ to ۲۰۲۵ that evaluated SWE and ARFI applications in equine tendon imaging. Relevant articles were searched using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus databases with keywords ‘equine,’ ‘tendon,’ ‘elastography,’ ‘shear-wave,’ and ‘ARFI.’ Eight peer-reviewed studies and review papers were selected for synthesis. Results:The reviewed evidence indicates that SWE and ARFI provide reproducible, non-invasive, and quantitative measurements of tendon elasticity. Injured equine superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFTs) consistently demonstrated reduced shear-wave velocity and altered stiffness compared to healthy tissues. Experimental and clinical studies confirmed that elastographic parameters correlate with histopathological and mechanical properties. Conclusion: SWE and ARFI elastography, significantly enhance the diagnostic capability of ultrasonography in equine tendon assessment. They allow early detection of subclinical lesions and objective monitoring of tendon healing. Further standardization of protocols and longitudinal studies are needed to optimize their clinical integration in equine practice.

کلیدواژه ها:

Equine tendon ، Ultrasonography ، Elastography ، Shear-wave ، ARFI imaging