Annular ligament injuries?

[Halfstep]

For a friend, not mine this time thank God.

Any words of wisdom on these? Front leg, been scanned and the horse has bruised its annular ligament. Not lame, bit of swelling, no heat. Vet didn't seem too worried........be glad to hear any of your experiences!

xx

 

[H's mum]

Hi there - Has it been scanned? AL's are a nightmare - what can seem not much ends up being a huge fiasco!

H's intial scans showed not much - no big gapping holes in the ligaments nothing to worry about - and then it really strained and it's been an ongoing thing ever since - I'll keep things crossed for your friend's horse - It's not the end of the world -things can be done -but it's a long slow road!
Kate x

 

[Llwyncwn]

Well, I have no experience of front leg anular ligament damage, only hind. The anular normally swells as a secondary to a tendon injury, starting as a windgall which doesnt go down after exercise.

From the scan your friend had, how much is it swollen? My girl was 5.9mm and it was very swollen. I believe our resident vet, Star's horse had a swelling of much more than that.

It's good that there is no heat, but the fact that it is swollen is a warning IMHO. If it continues to swell they will normally recommend cutting the ligament which is a simple procedure carried out under general anaesthetic and lasts less than an hour, done with an Arthroscope (key hole), box rest with walking in hand for 4 weeks followed by under saddle at walk .... Im waffling now. PM me if you eventually need to know rehab

 

[Halfstep]

Thanks guys. Yes it has been scanned. Nothing scary visible on the scan. No swelling at all after the first day. No heat. The vet said two weeks box rest and hand walking on hard ground. Followed by slow return to work, but to watch that it doesn't flare up. Horse bashed herself in the field we think.

Thanks for the warning. Will tell friend to be very careful.

 

[Doublethyme]

Definitely echo everyone else in taking it easy and making sure she takes care.

Mine's been off since November 07 with annular ligament problems and also an injury to her SDFT. The annular ligament is now back to normal on the last scan, last week (which my vet was astonished over as he didn't think it would ever go completely back to normal), but he SDFT injury is still causing her grief.

I do think that the Bioscan Light Therapy boot that I purchased has helped enormously with the annular ligament and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one to anyone - I will certainly be using it on Minnie regularly to keep her annular ligament healthy.

 

[TheresaW]

My horse is on boxrest at the moment with annular ligament problems. She wasn't very lame, but it was very swollen, apparently 7mm. Vet injected into the tendon sheath and the swelling has come down. He is actually due back to see her tomorrow.

 

[dotty1]

My mare had an annular ligament problem on a hind leg, did it in the field and couldn't even put her foot down so was hopping lame. She was scanned and had a steriod injection into it which made her a lot better , then another steroid injection a few weeks later. She was sound after approx 3 months and then had 18 months off to have a foal. She has been in work now since christmas and so far remained sound. She is a very hairy cob so swelling is very hard to see. When her leg was clipped there was a deep groove across the back of the fetlock where the annular ligament was so tight.