DDFT Tear

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bounce

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Well, despite being told that the MRI yesterday looked good, the specialist has now seen it and has seen a full depth tear of the DDFT over the navicular.

Back to the vets on Monday to have steroids injected in to the bursar and then commence a 6 to 12 week controlled exercise programme.

Has anyone any experience of this and can tell me how it went etc. Or alternatively send me a virtual hug some tissues and a large bar of chocolate to be washed down with a vodka or 2.
 
My pony had ddft in both front feet and the bursas were injected last year.

This appears to have worked and we have tried bringing her back into light work.

I cannot give you any more positive news, as she has intermittent lameness due to other issues but wish you well.
 
A friend of mine's horse did this in both fronts. Had 6 weeks box rest then a 3 month rehab programme. The horse came back sound, but she wouldn't jump him again. She started sidesaddle and I thought it was a bad idea, but she was assured that this would be ok. Went lame again on one fore - vet said it was due to weight shift in side saddle. He is sound again now.

Personally I would look into buying a MicroVet unit to assist with healing- it's a micro therapy unit (similar but cheaper than the Arc Equine)
 
Thanks.
I'm actually considering buying the arc equine unit. Not sure whether to push the button and buy it now so it will be ready to use from Tuesday or just wait a few more days and talk to my vet about it first. Decisions, decisions.

What's also praying on my mind is that I already have one retired horse sitting in my field that I can't do anything with and my grazing only supports two so I can't get a project to keep me occupied. Horses really are my life so not riding and having the worry that my pony of a lifetime may not come sound or may not return to a competitive career is really worrying me a great deal. I just won't know what to do with myself this summer. I get bored if I'm not out competing each weekend.

I don't have the heart to put the other one down but I am wondering whether a blood bank would be a possible option. Not sure whether there are any such places in the South West. But I do also feel quilty about doing that also.

Oh for a magic wand!
 
:-( I had 3 field ornaments last year so know how you feel. Found another horse to have jumping lessons on and do a little bit of competing which occupied me nicely until my orange ladwas back in work.
 
About 18 months ago my mare was diagnosed with a 50% lesion on her ddft of her hind leg. She came breifly back into work last autumn and was hacking including canter work with no bother. She's just foaled and I fully expect her to come into full work once foal is weaned.

She has no problems with it now and is coping fine with galloping about in the field with foally

Treatment for her was basically box rest for several weeks followed by small field rest for several months building up her turnout and then an extended period out of work. By the time she's comes into work next autumn she'll have had about 2 years out and I think it's the best thing that I could have done
 
Mine had a tear same place, 50 percent of the width diagnosed Easter last year. He is now sound and we are doing our first dressage competition again tomorrow. Check out rockley farm if you haven't already, I nearly sent mine but decided to see how I got on at home first. I know how you feel, I've been there but don't give up yet!
 
I'm definitely not giving up on him yet. But I am very concerned as to what the prognosis is.
ALO do you know if the tendon is susceptible to further injury or whether you can continue to jump/event etc or whether you need to be careful over any particular ground?
 
At diagnosis my vet told me that I could go for loss of use. Mine was eventing prior to injury, but we have also had previous problems before, spavin and stifle problems so I think he was taking this into account as well.
I asked at the time of the scan if they could tell me what others with this injury had came back to do and they didn't know as the scanner was quite new.
Where was yours scanned?what prognosis did they give you?
I guess there is a chance of re-injury as with any tendon, however, in hind sight I can see that my horses foot conformation was pretty rubbish, it's much better now so I'm hoping that this will help.
There are horses that have been to rockley that are now back out doing stuff again, it's worth having a look at the blog.
 
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