Help Please! Inflamed Tendon Sheath. Any holistic ideas?

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Watty

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Had vet out this morning for my oldie fell. He was slightly lame earlier in the week but it seemed to wear off. Then yesterday he was very lame and I noticed a swelling so had the vet out first thing this morning. Vet says, after a look, its an inflamed tendon sheath and to rest him on complete box rest for 3 weeks with bute as a painkiller.

My vet is great. If there is no improvement in 3 weeks he says we can scan to see if it is the tendon then - but - as the initial treatment is box rest lets go for that first. Am happy with the vets suggestion.

So, little chap is on total box rest, with a box for nights and a box where he can see the field and my other horse during the day. He must have done it in the field as he is only lightly hacked once or twice a week, and that is more of a doddle round the lanes than a proper hack!

I am wondering if there are any holistic ideas that might help. That anyone has tried???? Any thoughts anyone??? I'd like to do something other than just box resting him if possible.
 
Cold therapy will help, ice or cold hosing to reduce inflammation.

Magnetic boots may help increase the circulation, they will do no harm even if they do no good but I would probably wait until the initial swelling has gone down.

Many herbs are good for healing and encouraging a good healthy blood flow you can buy them but I gather my own, nettles cut or pulled, hawthorn, cleavers, willow they will also be good for relieving boredom while he is in the stable. I use these herbs to help a laminitic but the requirements are much the same.
 
be positive said:
Many herbs are good for healing and encouraging a good healthy blood flow you can buy them but I gather my own, nettles cut or pulled, hawthorn, cleavers, willow they will also be good for relieving boredom while he is in the stable. I use these herbs to help a laminitic but the requirements are much the same.
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Great idea. There are lots of nettles growing nearby so I cut some last night and he ate them all this morning. I'll get some more! I'll also googled the rest and see what I can find. Thanks for the suggestion be postive.

Any other ideas out there?
 
for a Fell, I'd give about 30g of MSM for the first month and then reduce it down to 10g a day. You would need to go by the instructions on the tub though as some MSM will have fillers or other ingredients added which would change the dosage. Always introduce it gradually.
 
Thanks for this. I have a joint supplement that I used to use for another of my ponies and MSM seems to be the main ingredient so I have started him on that.
I am beginning to really feel he must be bored. He can see the others in the field. Have left the radio on for him and found a treat ball which he likes. That and grazing on nettles seem to fill a bit of time.
 
As mentioned above.

Had to deal with many many tendon problems in my time.

cold therapy is the way to go . Cold hosing but if on stricked box rest you cant do this.

This is a simple way of hosing allowing owner two free hands and water to go completely round the leg.

DSCF2611.jpg


Recommended :


ice boots
gold label leg ice
radiol muscle liniment.
 
I'd use ice, ice, ice and more ice. Cold therapy is best in situations like this. Ice cups (frozen water in polystyrene cups) are brilliant. Just place the open end of the cup onto the area and keep it moving slowly in a circular motion. When the ice melts just start peeling down the cup. Do it twice a day minimum over the area. Make sure you keep the cup moving or there is a danger you could cause an ice burn. Stick the cup back in the freezer if you haven't used it all for next time. We keep a number of these ice cups in the freezer at the yard for anyone who requires them. They are brilliant, and as soon as I notice any tendon problems on my horse they are my first line of defence. Cold hosing is ok and the action of it is beneficial but ice cups retain a consistent temperature, much more than hosing or ice boots, or any topical application can ever do.

Bandaging is also very good, and I would recommend you do this, but make sure you bandage the opposite limb too and use plenty of padding underneath.

Amazed your vet didn't say anything about cold therapy to you.
 
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Interesting on the cold therapy/icing. Vet said he didnt think it would help and strict box rest was the way to go. I rang him before he went off on hols and he said ok do it ..but don't make him walk to the tap.
Like the ice cups idea. Will try that.
How long do you use the ice cups for each time?
 
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