DDFT injury

[DLynn]

Hi everyone, my 6 yo Hanoverian mare has a tear in her DDFT due to a trauma. She underwent surgery a few weeks ago to debride as the torn part of the tendon was rubbing on the sheath. The surgeon also did an annular ligament desmotomy. She came out of surgery very lame and has continued to be lame although she is better than she was. There is still heat so I am still icing. She is on box rest and the vet said to do 5 mins of walking AM and PM for now and she is coming back next week to check her and do shockwave.

The lesion is a lateral border tear and because of where it is she was not a candidate for prp, stem cell, irap etc.

I am looking to hear about other people experiences with this type of injury if some of you that have gone through this, or something like this wouldn’t mind sharing. I’ve read that these sometimes don’t heal bc of the fluid in the sheath so I’m worried. I’ve read that DDFT injuries can cause lameness for a while even after the inflammation subsides. Would be interested in hearing other people’s experiences regarding all this- how long the horse was lame, what type of rehab worked for their horse, if the horse went back to work after the injury and to what level. Any other things I could do to help her.

Thank you x

 

[Season’s Bleatings]

Hey there, my horse had a DDFT injury last year and had surgery. We were able to do PRP and hand walking commenced 2 weeks post surgery. We also had cold laser on it which has some proven benefit. We are now doing little bits in the arena. Feel free to PM me to chat in more detail, it’s so stressful.

 

[Zoeypxo]

My horse had a suspected DDFT injury, didnt mri but x rays were clear apart from hoof balance issues.
I believe the injury was caused by poor farriery - long toe low heel (NPA).
I tried remedial shoes, injections etc which would help briefly but the lameness would return at more severity each time till she was 6/10ths lame at the trot.
At this point my only option left was to remove shoes and turn away. After 7-8 months turned out she came sound and i very slowly bought her back into work. I have hacked and schooled lightly on grass since then. She is ridden in cavallo boots with pads.
Im aiming to do some low level dressage and pleasure rides in the spring and see how she goes .

Hoof balance is a massive priority with these injuries, NPA is becoming quite common and is a huge factor in navicular and ddft injuries.

Take a look at Rockley farm blogs some great information on there. Also the feet first book by Nic barker is very good.