Cracked cortex in long pastern bone

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Does anyone have any experience of this? My 20 yr old cob x Bridie went lame, front offside, about 10 weeks ago when her loaner (at my yard) took her for a ride and the horse had a strange violent stumble. Was 2/10 lame pretty much straight away though the significance of the stumble wasn't appreciated at the time (may still not be significant!). We assumed abscess and treated her accordingly but farrier shod her about 3 weeks after the lameness started and she was in very obvious pain when he was hammering that shoe on. Assumed he knew what he was doing, had been told recent lameness issue. Vets had to be called out 10pm that same day to remove shoe after Bridie was non weight bearing by then! Long story in between but basically Bridie is now sound in walk though still maybe 1/10 lame after 40 min hack (that she refused to do at walk, well up for a blast!) She still thunders happily round her field. Anyway, clearly it needs resolution so went to vets yesterday for lameness work up. Nerve blocks inconclusive so x-rays taken. As expected, 20-yr old foot showed minor low and high ringbone but horrifyingly, the real problem was an old (no idea if weeks ago or months or even years) crack in the cortex of the long pastern bone. Masses of calcification. Vets say that's the cause of the pain/lameness.

What I'm trying to find out is, if this is a 10-week old injury, could Bridie continue to get better as the healing progresses or is it as good as it's going to get? Would specialist shoes help? Would you be guided by the horse and gently ride her? Any experience? Information?
In vets too.

 

[glenruby]

Most pastern fractures tend to be repaired by screws even if it isn't a complete fracture - as this improves the healing rate. Alternatively the type of fracture you have can also be healed conservatively and need dressing and rest to immobilise the fracture. Do the vets think it is likely to be from the incident 10weeks ago then? Is there any displacement of the fracture - guessing not as it's an incomplete fx but if there is then this is probably the source of pain. If she was my horse I would probably give her a prolonged period of rest to give her the best chance of recovery. Certainly wouldn't be riding her now.

 

[glenruby]

In short - it could still Improve though unlikely to be 100%. As for shoes - she does need to have very accurate foot balance but won't necessarily require special shoeing. Occasionally heartbeats can help though so best ask these questions of your vet. Even in cases of normal fracture recovery, 10 weeks post injury would be very early to be riding out.

 

[MrsMozart]

Sorry to hear she's hurt.

From what you've said about her response to being shod that different shoes (or any shoes!) would help. Check with vet about unshod and maybe hoof boots.

What did the vet say about treatment? I'd opt for turning away for x weeks.

 

[putasocinit]

the fact that there is calcification means it is already healing so could well be 6-8 weeks old already, in the environment that i work in, horses that have suffered a fracture and from xrays it shows it is starting to calcify they go on the walker for the time they have been off with the injury so say 6 weeks from injury to xrays which show healing, then after the 6 weeks walker then walk and trot, then more xrays after 2 weeks walk and trot to see how things are going and if after 4 weeks and horse is still lame, then time to rethink the situation, if sound heyho carry on.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

This is brilliant, thanks guys. Got appt with vet Monday to discuss next steps. Bridie is insured for field injury so could be worth thinking about surgery to plate & screw in order to form rock solid healing. Will defo hold off even gentle riding at walk until Monday because I'm not happy that Bridie was discharged with no instructions for either aftercare or treatment. Just discharged.