Recovery progress of fractured splint bone

[Cazza525]

Fractured splint bone 5 weeks tomorrow but not diagnosed for 10 days as vet thought just nasty puncture wound. We've had our ups and downs, bone infection last week but antibiotics kicked in again and coupled with lots of rest and minimum bute now she is quite comfortable.

Basically vet came and saw her on Monday and was pleased with her progress. She said that she could have a small walk about 20ft down the yard and back once a day. I did this Monday and Tuesday but she looked uncomfortable so I rang vet and said I thought it was too early days.

My vet is only a junior vet and I'm a little concerned. She is coming out tomorrow to rexray to check its healing properly even though this mare is so much better, but still a little uncomfortable when asked to walk on concrete! I just feel that we are being rushed in her recovery when in fact because of the undiagnosed fracture, she has only been box rested for 3 weeks fully in total.

Mare is also 20 years old so surely her recovery will be a little slower? The fracture is midline and no displacement so should heal itself naturally, but reality is she may take weeks yet to be sound enough to finish her recouperation in the field.

Am I being a little silly? I'm not dissing my vet at all because she is lovely and very keen and is constantly guided by the senior vet who knows my mare well (in fact he did the foal check on her 20 years ago!).

Thankyou

 

[BobbyMondeo]

My boy fractured his splint bone 2 years ago (ish) same as your mare, didnt know it was fractured for a while just thought it was infection. No displacement. He was on box rest for about 6weeks before i walked him anywhere but the stable next door whilst i mucked out.

He was rising 7 so a lot younger than your mare, if she is uncomfortable i wouldnt be walking her yet

Just to give you hope he has recovered fully and is doing everything he was before the fracture with no detrimental effects

 

[Clannad48]

Our mare fractured her splint bone in five places in October 2010 she had xrays, medication, compression bandaging and box rest for 4 months, gradual extending hand grazing for 2 weeks, reduced turnout for another two weeks and then declared fit and healthy. She was 9 at the time and after six months was completely sound.

A copy of her xray is in my album if you want a peek.

 

[Cazza525]

Thankyou so much, I appreciate your reply. I really just wish vet would leave her alone to heal! She's perfectly happy in sickbay....all tucked up and comfortable, I don't even move her to muck out!

Unbelievably, my vet wanted me to bring her down to the surgery tomorrow, but I said 'NO WAY"!!! They are therefore bringing equipment out to her! With enough extension leads to stretch to her stable!

Rest, means rest!

 

[Sheriff]

Hi
I am new to this forum and wondered if you can help. Our pony has also fractured her splint bone, she has been on box rest for almost 10 weeks, first 6 weeks she had a cast on, the last 3 weeks she had lighter bandaging, 10 days ago she was re x-rayed and the vet said he is happy that the callous has formed and its healed, so it was time to start bringing her back into work. He has told us for the next 6 weeks that she should have restricted turnout in a small paddock on her own, and also can be ridden in walk only and only if its in a levelled arena. He said after 6 weeks, she is ready to go and do whatever we want.

This is the first week now we have turned out rode her etc following the vets advice to the letter, but I just wanted to find out how you had got on with the recovery. Our pony seems quite stiff, not sure if this is normal after being stuck in, she also has heat still on the leg, is this normal? She seems a little hesitant on a morning to put weight on the foot, but think that falls in with the stiffness. Any advice/reassurance would be great as we would love to know all this is normal! Thanks