Post annular ligament surgery fetlock issues?

[ClareZ4]

Hi new to the forumand hoping someone can help! Sorry... long story!
Last year my horse (16hh heavy ISH, 17 years old) tore his annular ligament. When he had an ultrasound I was told it was thickened and surgery would be the best route. I decided to treat him conservatively and after 10 weeks box rest and walking he was back up and running. We took things very slowly and he came back fully sound. Then this March we were trotting down the road and his leg just went from underneath him... lame horse, same leg. Vet came and agreed he'd probably torn it again and really surgery was only option as the ligament was so thick it could be doing further damage to underlying soft tissue. He went in for surgery end of march. He hadn't torn the ligament however it was very thick, but he had a microscopic tear to his DDFT which the surgeon "tidied up". He came home a day or 2 after, had 8 weeks box rest with daily walks building up to 30 mins then introduced some trot and turnout. He has been sound since apart from a 'strain' to that fetlock which he recovered from with a week of box rest. However...Friday I brought him in hopping lame (same as his last strain) gave him some bute and cold hosed it though there wasn't much heat. He seems almost sound now and is trotting up ok, just a bit sore on turning but this morning I noticed his fetlock seems to be locking every couple of strides or so. Just wondering if anyone else had seen this before? I was wondering if, because he has no annular ligament to hold everything tight whether its just things moving and maybe the tedons moving over the joint? Maybe he'll be more at risk of injury since the surgery as there's a weakness there? Also considering getting some turnout and medicine boots for him as maybe it'll stop him twisting it on uneven ground? (He can be a bit of an idiot!)
Any Help much appreciated!

 

[hopscotch bandit]

I wouldn't advise turning out in boots. They can do more harm than good as they can overheat tendons which can make them more vulnerable to injury.

If you want to splash your cash I'd recommend Icevibe boots. Around £200 for a pair which includes everything, you might be able to find them cheaper on ebay or preloved. They are great for rehab and prior to and after exercise.

The boots can be used prior to exercise and will stimulate bloodflow to your horses legs with a pulsed vibration whilst the horse is stood in the stable. When blood flow is increased tendons and ligaments become more elastic which can help to prevent damage.

The boots have cold packs which you put under them that reduces blood flow slowing down inflammation whilst the movement created by the massaging effect similar to exercise can help to stimulate the lymph system to move out existing inflammation.

They are good for injury also. When a damaged area is healing, scar tissue is formed and the movement created by the vibration and massage helps to break down adhesions and scar tissue whilst increasing blood flow to assist healing.

For older horses you can put the cold packs in warm water and apply them with the massage before exercise or use on older horses that might have arthritis to reduce stiffness.

The boots are designed to cool the tissue via the cold packs and slow down the blood flow to reduce inflammation but when combined with massage the blood flow is not completely restricted, this allows oxygen to be maintained to tired and damaged tissue allowing for a better recovery. They flush out soreness and stiffness after strenuous activity.

The vibrating panels have three vibrations, setting one is ideal to start off rehab and setting two prior to and after exercise. Setting three to be used with the ice packs.

I can thoroughly recommend them and wouldn't be without mine.