Leg filling, advice needed

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kizzywiz

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Kizzy had an op in August 2008 to remove torn manica flexoria & also annular ligament desmotomy at same time, all went well, had final scan 6 weeks ago, there is still a tiny fluffy bit on the scan on the edge of SDFT, she's completely sound & had done 3 months walk & building up trot. Have done 6 weeks canterwork, sound, but after exercise the operated leg gets fluid, like a windgall, no heat. It goes down when bandaged overnight, & usually by the time she comes in next day is all gone. But, as I've stepped up the work, like yesterday we went for a lesson, its still filled after turnout today. I gave her a little lunge tonight & she looked a little stiff, kind of generally, not lame behind though, when she first trotted, then looked normal. My vet did say the leg would blow up a bit as I picked up the work, & not to be too paranoid. Am meant to be starting little jumps this weekend, vet said fine at scan, but I'm really scared of breaking her again, surely the fluid should disperse with exercise?? Don't want to hassle poor vet Richard again, any thoughts anyone??

Thanks.
 
Maybe your taking it a tad too quick with her? Ted did his SDFT in May 08 and is only now starting to come back into walk work.

Personally, if she was my horse, I would be taking her back to walk work and building form there again, I definatly would not be jumping her!

Lou x
 
Thanks Nailed, but its not a tendon injury as such, she tore off the manica flexoria, which attaches to the outside edge of the SDFT, no tendon damage in the usual sense of a tendon injury, just the little rough bit on the edge where it tore off. She has had all the rehab by the book as recommended by David Lloyd at Liphook, & also my own vet, its a really unusual injury, my vet has only seen 3 since he qualified. Just a little concerned about the windgall thing, its not huge, no heat, not hard & she's 100% sound & on flexion, at the last scan the fluffy area had improved, & vet felt no further walk required, as it would probably always be like that.
 
Kizzy I know what the injury was, however, I also know that 5 months recovery time seems a bit short, And i also know that sumtimes, dong it by the book doesnt work... Obviously its not completely healed or else there wouldnt be some swelling.

I still think if it was my horse i would start again, give her more time and bring her back into work more slowly. Lower leg injuries take a long time too heal ful stop. The circulatory system of the lowerleg has much to be desidered and protection in the area is also a little sparse. I gave you my oppinions with the closest example I could give you. At the end of the day.. you asked for advise, I gave it to you.

Lou x
 
Thanks Nailed, sorry wasn't meaning to sound ungrateful for your advice, think I've just got into the groove of explaining the whole thing!! Hadn't thought about the circulatory thing, that useful to know, guess their legs are a long way from their hearts.
 
The legs have appauling circulation, mainly due to the lack of muscle mass in the lower limb. If you look into the annatomy of the whoel leg including circulation and lymphatic system, it does help you to understant how a lack of circulation can cause hassle in the early stages of rehabilitation.

I really do think you should consider building her up again, and I definatly would not be progressing to jumping yet.

Lou x
 
My horse tore his DDFT and his manica flexoria too. The vets were astouned.

Anyway, I think perhaps it is a bit too soon for jumping work. Exercise gets rid of excess fluid, but over exercise will cause swelling, its about striking a balance.

I know your horse did not have a tendon injury, but I would treat him as such. I did not trot my horse for any length of time until about the 6 month mark. It takes about 18 months for tissues with low blood supply to heal.

It also makes a difference if it was a front or back leg involved.
 
Thats interesting what you say about it making a difference if it was a front or back leg, why is that & what is the difference?
 
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