Calcification of collateral ligament

I expect you've tried googling it, as I have, and come up with not a lot. My understanding is that it's when an abnormal amount of calcium is deposited in soft tissue, and hardens it. As to how significant it is, I imagine it would mean loss of flexibility. I have a horse with tendon damage at the moment and have been told to gently massage the slight swelling daily to prevent calcification.

Is this something you've been told in relation to your own horse? From your location I'm guessing your vets might be the large and reputable clinic in Lanark. Can they (or whoever your vet is) not explain the term to you more fully?
 
Hi, thanks for your reply.

I id try googling it and although I had a rough iea of what it was, the papers that come up werent very helpful.

I use another reasonably well known equine practice in Strathaven, who had to be call out after Tyler was quite lame. Initially looking for a bruised sole, but after two weeks with intermittent lameness ti needed further investigation in the form of x-rays. I used a different farrier only once and it has resulted in Tyler poorly confomred feet being made worse. We are now planning for natural balance shoes with silcone inserts. The calcification pf the ligaments was something that was noted on the x-rays without looking for it. I didn't bother asking the vet the details of that at it wasn't too significant and I am a trained nurse so had some idea about it. It was only when I sat down afterwards I wasn't sure what the impacet would be.

Vet is coming back out in 3 weeks time after the change of shoes to see how he has progressed.

Jenny
 
I don't know much about calcification but damage to the collateral ligament isn't the best news I'm afraid. My horse is currently in recovery. Definitely go ahead with the natural balance shoes with silicone pads - this is what has made the most difference to my horse. Has your vet mentioned an MRI to see whether there is any other damage to the ligament or not at this moment? Has he been very lame? Sorry to not shed much light but the shoes should help.
 
Thanks for your post. How bad was your horse?

My vet hasn't mentioned an MRI yet. She said that it wasnt very significant but she felt I should know about it. I picked up the BHS Ve. Manual but couldnt make head nor tail (or shoudl I say hoof) of it.

He was dscribed as being 3/10ths lame a couple of weeks ago, and that was after a nerve block and a possible bruised sole. At that point he was lame on hard ground and in trot.

On Tuesday, when the vet came out, he was lame in walk and everything else. In between he has been sore intermittently.

MY problem is that I am trying to apply my knowledge of adult nursing to horses and it isnt happening. Sort of a 2+2 = 5 situation.

If Tyler is likley to be unrideable soon, then although that would be a huge blow, I woudl still keep him and just make sure he was happy (little bugger getting out of work at the age of 10 lol)

I am wondering whether to give my vet a phone amd ask for more details. She isnt due out for another 3 weeks.

Jen
 
Hi I am Marchtimes Mum!!! I am also an adult nurse specialising in minor injuries!!
.I know she will not be back on line prob for a day or two so to answer your questions....
Jesper was intermittently lame for a couple of years diagnosed with bruised soles/concussion/flat feet/typical TB feet etc etc. Xrays were inconclusive showing a tiny amount of arthritis/bone spur in coffin joint and low lying pedal bones. Eventually he became very grumpy and backward thinking. On nerve blocking he was much happier and his paces which had shortened became freer and longer.
This led to an MRI which showed frayed collateral ligaments.
Our other TB had an acute rupture with associated disruption of his coffin joint . This was misdiagnosed by 1st vet as navicular which meant he was not rested properly early enough and he was sadly PTS.
This time the problem is more chronic wear and tear due to his poor internal foot conformation. He has had 6 months paddock rest with natural balance shoes and silicone pads for support. He has also had a steroid injection into the coffin joint to help any inflamation there and he had experimental shock wave treatment to the collateral ligaments. This is a rather unusual treatment as it is impossible to target the whole ligament as it lies within the hoof capsule but the top part is treatable.
Research shows it is very sucessful on suspensory ligaments. Our vet and insurance company agreed to try it but most vets feel it will not help - we were happy to try anything to keep the horse comfortable.
He is now sound to walk trot and canter on hacks and has started very gentle schooling - 20m circles and some leg yielding but only once or twice a week. We are hoping to keep him sound with this.
He is on no bute or painkillers at all but has green lipped muscle extract.
Sorry this is so long but it may help you.
My final thought is that if he has calcification of the ligament I would guess this would indicate some damage previously. If you have insurance and your vet agrees it would be worth getting him MRI'ed as this is the only way to definitively diagnosis collateral ligament problems.
If you want to know anything else PM one of us anytime.
 
Thank you very much misst.

It has given me a better underrstanding of treatments etc involved. Will contact me vet tomorrow and speak to them regarding the MRI scan and their feelings towards it. I know that Tyler. prior to purchase, had been rested for 10 months, for a never fully explained reason, but as he fulfilled my requirements I never felt it was that important to get a full report (slight regrets now).

Tyler has very poor foot confirmation (low heels and flat feet). This has resulted in various problems.


Thanks again.

Jen
 
It's not something I know anything about Jen but my suggestion would be to do exactly what you are planning to do and speak to the vet - only they know the extent of the calcification and whether or not it requires any further work.

I know this may sound daft but could you get someone else on the call with you - I sometimes find it hard to take in information about C when I'm worried about him and don't always ask the obvious questions so I try and have someone else with me to ask the thinks I forget to ask and also take in the information.

(((Hugs))) for you and your big grey beast!!
 
Hi Jen!
Sorry to hear Tyler is lame - try not to worry too much, this new problem may have nothing to do with his lameness and to look on the brightside you might have discovered it before it develops into a problem and be able to prevent/manage it.
While Tyler is off if you are missing riding I can provide you will a very willing and safe 15.1 chesnut gelding......
Can you guess who it is yet
wink.gif

x
 
Wigglypigs, I had to look at the puppy pics before it clicked
laugh.gif
laugh.gif


They are adroable !!!!

How is that handsome chestnut guy getting on? 10 weeks and I have ridden once, having to consider travelling to Ingliston / Kingsbarn for lessons
frown.gif


Farrier out on Wendesday (as you probabs already know) so hoping I can pop down and speak to him. Tyler is finally getting what he has probably always wanted - high heels!!!!

Babybear - good advice regarding getting someone on the phone call as well. I listen and zone out sometimes on the phone.

How is Mr C getting on?

Jen
x
 
Scarey - i know you in RL lol
When you next at yard? You can ride J whenever you like - he is loads of fun. Much more fun than cruise who i wouldnt inflict on anyone at this moment in time, apartfrom other Claire maybe but she is mad lol
 
Awww, thank you
laugh.gif


I may well take you up on that offer. I know I am off on Saturday then Tuesday plus a few other days. Can't remeber my shifts haha!!

Claire does enjoy a challange
crazy.gif
Admire her, just wouldnt do it myself lol. Is Cruise being a bit excitable at the moment ?

x
 
He is just a prat lol My own fault as he's hardly worked at all the past few weeks and he is the kind of horse that needs ridden everyday. Going to get my finger out and get some lessons asap - i may need hospitalised afterwards
smile.gif

Well ill PM you my number but im at the yard on sat all day so if you fancied a spin on J I can show you how his buttons work
x
 
are we talking about side bone here?

if so, this is what my gelding has- is now off for 3 months with box rest and restricted paddock rest. having tildren treatments every 2 weeks for 3 treatments.

he was intermittently lame for 2 months, on 10m circles and then anything involving turning to the right. no heat in foot. read this article 4 more info:
http://www.liphookequinehosp.co.uk/llsidebone.htm or PM me
 
Any news jenmac or are you waiting on the vet? Keeping my fingers crossed for you. Does sound similar to Jesper in that he had intermittent lameness for awhile before the diagnosis. I'd suggest if he'd been rested for 10 months and has bad foot conformation it is definitely worth pursuing with your vets. A lot can be done to help get them back to fitness.
 
Hi marchtime,

thanks for your message
smile.gif


tried to get hold of my vet, but their surgery had closed.

Going to phone tomorrow morning and see if I can catch them
laugh.gif


Tyler is just loving all the time off lol.

Will let you know tomorrow if I manage to get the vet.

Jen
x
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top