Deep Digital Flexor Tendon Tear

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Izzwizz

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Has anyone had this sort of injury and what was the outcome? My horse has been diagnosed with this today in her near side fore leg, has been prescribed 4wks in wedge shoes and complete box rest, then 4 wks in lower wedge shoes with small walk round block, then 4 weeks in egg bars which takes us up to Xmas. Shes had an MRI scan today to confirm this and will need a follow up one to confirm healing.

Thanks for any info.
 
there was a post about this recently that quite a few of us answered, worth doing a search on i think. v best of luck with it.
pls just be aware that when vets say "walk out for 5 mins in hand" after box rest they are sometimes in cloud cuckoo land unless you have a bona fide saint of a horse... Puppy on here can attest to this.
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Whereabouts is the tear? My horse was lucky in that he suffered a 30% tear but it was above the fetlock - easy to diagnose and monitor, and I think has a better chance of healing. If it's in the hoof it's more difficult.

His treatment (in a nutshell) was 7 weeks' field rest, 8 weeks' box rest (there was a good reason for being in that order!), 3 weeks' small paddock rest, then gradually back into work under saddle. 16 months after the injury, the lesion is down to 10% (may never heal completely), he's back in full work with no recurrence of the lameness. He was initially shod in wedges but my farrier reverted to Natural Balance after 11 weeks as he thought the horse's way of going was being affected.

I use a magnetic joint wrap on the area every day for about 20 minutes - heaven knows if it does any good but the vet hospital are amazed at his recovery and continued soundness.

Good luck with your girl.
 
My horse had a small tear in the DDFT as part of a range of foot issues including collateral ligaments. I didn't go down the remedial farriery route, I took her barefoot under the direction of a DAEP. She made a full recovery.

The DDFT is notoriously slow to heal so you have to manage your expectations. You need to get the foot balance and function right to relieve the DDFT. That is key to it healing. I also swear by MSM as a supplement. Do you want to PM me, I could send you my horse's MRI scan so you can see what it's possible to come back from? It may give you hope, but it depends obviously on the size of the tear.

I wasn't going to be paying another £1000 for a follow-up MRI scan, though I would love to have one. The evidence is in her way of going and the fact she came back better than ever and barefoot too.
 
The tear is in the hoof, just my luck! It had been hard to diagnose and I requested the MRI. The follow up one wont be as expensive as they will only check the area concerned so that may be an option brightmount if you really want to go down that route. Thanks for your tip re MSM, will look into that. It would be great to see your MRI scan, Izzys is on the DDFT where it forks and then goes round the coffin joint. Spoke to my Farrier tonight and hes making her some wedge shoes, hes up the yard tomorrow to fit them bless him. Thats what I call service. I know its going to be a long haul but shes worth it. I have some magnetic joint wraps and may give them a go to see if it helps. She has to be completely in for 4 wks and I have to muck out around her. Goood job she likes her food, dont think the extra box rest she will be on will fry her brain too much. My own Vet rang me tonight and was very positive about recovery so we will have to see. I am looking on the downside at the moment but I am lucky in that I have a friends horse to ride so can keep in with riding.

Thank you for your help and advice, fingers crossed eh.
 
When did the injury occur? Cold hosing is very important for the first week or two. Magnets are only suitable for use after this period.
My horse tore a 2cm hole in her DDFT below the navicular bone in her left fore two and a half years ago, and had 18 months off. She is now as sound as she has ever been but will never be allowed to school or jump again. She could probably start cantering if I had time to get her fit enough. It's a long and hard road to recovery.
 
I think looking back that the original injury may have happened in March/April, horses tore around in a small paddock and she came in lame. Cold hosed it and vet came then bute and box rest. Still wasnt right and xrays found a joint mouse which was removed and still more box rest. Seemed sound and as part of recuperation 2 wks in field. On day 4 she came in lame again, then had a bit of lami as is prone to it as all we had to feed was hay which was 8 wks old ish. Lami gone but still not right though not horrendous lameness. Therefore off to Horsepital for mri as getting a bit fed up at this stage and want to get to bottom of it. MRI showed the tendon tear and at last we are at the bottom of it all. She has therefore spend 5months in box and some healing has taken place but obviously further to go. Farrier fitted wedge shoes today, so its on with the plan. Spa-ing would be great if Insurance would pay for it but may have to look into that. Spoke to my vet today who sounds very hopeful and optimistic and says she should make a full recovery but I am more guarded and know it is a long road.
 
my mare came in from the field 3 months ago, lame. vet scanned her and she had a 30% lesion in her ddft. it was just above the fetlock. i was told about a unit called MICROVET. it uses micro current therapy. my mare was scanned 6 weeks after first using this unit. the lesion had reduced by 10%. in 6 wks, my vet was amazed, and now offers this unit as an optional therapy through her practise. it is now 3 months after her injury and i am now riding her in walk hacking her for 30 mins a day. i will gradually increase the time and then introduce trotting ect. if you are interested in this therapy, look up microvet on the web. it does cost £200 but compared with the options my vet gave me, this was very cheap. good luck
 
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