fetlock lameness, how to treat?!(long, sorry!!)

[daphnebs]

My 6 Y-O lad decided to mess around in the field 3 weeks ago

. He slipt- there is a 23 foot long skid mark in the field- and was lame the following day( here's me thinking I'm doing the right think not keeping him stabled all day). There was swelling around the fetlock joint but this would disappear after walking and hosing. he came sound within 3 days(was only lame in tror/canter) The vet had a look at it and said he streched the tendon sheet. He said to keep him bandaged at night to minimize swelling and bandage him during exercise. I was to increase his work load over the next few days. He stayed sound and his leg seemed fine. Last week I brought him x-country schooling which went great!! The following day everything looked fine until I put the saddle on him. Fine in walk, ok in trot and canter until he tripped or something. Next thing is he is doglame on the same hind leg again. Swelling reappeared the following day though not as lame. Vet said to keep him walking and continue cold hosing etc. He seems a good bit better butI'm wondering whether anyone has any other suggestions. Vet wants to scan him in about 2 weeks and keep gentle walking 2/3 times a day im the main time to get rid of swelling. I really hope its nothing too serious as he's only back in work a couple of months after 6 months of with a sacroilliac injury. Any suggestions please??

 

[Izzwizz]

Sounds similar to a problem with my mare. She had a mysterious swelling in her front fetlock, turned out to be a bone chip floating around in the synovial fluid and making her go lame, was found via xray. When she went to horsepital to have keyhole surgery to remove it they found she was lame on her back leg also. Seems she may have been compensating on her front leg for the hind leg pain which turned out to be an inflamed tendon sheath. Shes had a months box rest and then 2 wks in field with no work atall. Vet re-scanning her legs in 2 wks and then she will be brought back into work starting with just walking for 3 wks. Not had any bute so as to keep real track of the swelling and discomfort. Have to say hadnt noticed the hind leg lameness as it was the front leg that had the problem - vets were very thorough and picked it up. Just thought it was similar to my mares lameness. Hope you get to bottom of it, think the scan will reveal problem, it did with us.

Good luck!

 

[debsflo]

surprised your vet advised to keep working.i would always rest mine until all heat and swelling had gone as you risk worsening any damage done or have i misunderstood.