Lumps on fetlocks, any idea what might be damaged?

[runaway]

My boy has already got "damaged" front tendons as they were "fired" when he raced in Ireland, over 10 yrs ago, however he has been quite a sound chap considering. However after having a disagreement over speed the other week he came home on the lame side

His tendons usually fill when he's stabled so the thickness isn't unusual. But I have noticed the firm swellings just above the fetlock joint area, on the white leg, look like a disjointed V. He is lame but I'd probably only grade this at about 2/10ths, however he doesn't seem to get any better unless walked out under saddle. So you could class it as intermittent. Any one had similar experience? Are they just windgalls? They do get really firm, like memory foam in manner too if pressed.

 

[samp]

Look a bit wingally to me.

 

[AmyMay]

I would speak with your vet, as the annular ligament could be implicated. Amy has a thickened annular ligament on one front leg after ligament damage to her sesamoid ligaments. The thickening of the annular ligament was a result of scar tisue around that area generally, and would ocassionaly cause pressure - thus making her lame. She is in fact lame at the moment because of this.

 

[runaway]

That is what I thought it might be having read my vet bible and compared where ligaments and tendons run in that area etc. Said that the annular ligament could cause restriction of the tendon etc in that area and this causes lameness

Only way to cure it if it is this is for surgery

sniff.

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
Said that the annular ligament could cause restriction of the tendon etc in that area and this causes lameness Only way to cure it if it is this is for surgery sniff.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, this is correct - but only in severe cases. I discussed this with my vet when Amy went badly lame because of this a couple of years ago. It's not an option I would go down personally. And in any event, there have only been two ocassions of lameness due to this for Amy - so it is well and truly intermitent.

Do have a chat with your vet - who will probably tell you to continue turning out and walking in hand etc. If this is the problem. But only they can tell you for sure.

 

[vicijp]

It could be a build up of scar tissue slipping down the tendon due to the firing. Quite common.

 

[runaway]

Oh right never heard or thought of that

Can that cause lameness to a certain degree?

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
Can that cause lameness to a certain degree?

[/ QUOTE ]
Yep, via pressure.

 

[vicijp]

If the scar tissue is pressing on somewhere, yes.
TBH I would be worried the lameness is from fresh tendon damage, that does look like a proper leg to me.
The only way you can know for sure is to scan.

 

[runaway]

I wouldn't put Storm through surgery, at 22 and with fired tendons it wouldn't be fair. He's mobile and happy and doesn't appear to be in pain as his coat is shiny and he's holding weight (always a good sign with him as he drops it like a leaf if he's poorly) His lameness improves if he's walked out. I'll have a word with my vet like you suggest and see what they can suggest. He's on the D&H Joint and Relief granules, do you use anything for Amy which you've found helps?

 

[runaway]

Thats a pretty normal size front leg for him vicijp

He gets filled legs with being stabled, more so now with his age. It's the hard lumps that are new additios that are the worry. But had thought of scanning to get some idea of what's happening/happened. Will have to see how much my old work place will charge me.