Sesamoid ligament damage

HelenPolly

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24 October 2005
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Hi all,

My lovely solid 22year trusty cleveland bay mare started bucking at another mare earlier in the year in the field and developed some swelling on her hind leg above fetlock. She wasn't lame on it at all and we hosed it, rested for a week or two etc., swelling went down to a very tiny lump and as she wasn't lame at all on it I thought it would settle down in time. We have competed in dressage most of the summer very successfully, winning our first affiliated test 3 weeks ago. Unfortunately during the week my mare had also started bucking at a new mare again.

The day after the comp. my mare's leg was huge, it was awful as she could barely stand on it at rest but once walking was happy on it and walked/trotted up sound. She's now had a scan and xrays and my vet has said she has scar tissue build up on the sesamoid ligament and is really concerned. He's put her on lots of danilon and high strength mobility stuff (has already been on cortaflex for 5 years) and is coming back in 2 weeks to scan again. I have to ride every day building up gradually and she's to be kept as mobile as possible. My vet said in 6 months or so we'll know whether she's going to keep progressing or basically become crippled.

Gutted and upset aren't the words, I've had her 19 years and have done everything I possibly can for her, basically I just wanted to hear of any other injuries similar to this and outcomes, and any possible treatments or ongoing care. I will do anything in my power to keep her mobile and able to ride as she goes stir crazy not keeping her mind occupied.

Thanks,
Helen
 
its nit the end of the world.. shes semi-healed from soomething similar already so luck looks on your side.

teds ran round with anotyher horse at the end of may and pulled his suspensory lig and couldnt puthis foot on the floor, he cam sound a month later and re did it. but hes mending again. so all i can say iss lookon the positives instead of the negs.

lou x
 
Thanks Lou, thats kind of what I thought but everyone seems to be writing her off! I have faith and will work hard to break the scar tissue down, the vet said its strangling the tendon and sheath at the moment. How bad do I feel.....?! Quite ironic really that on our last test the judge wrote "she really tried for you"!

Any good treatments for breaking down scar tissue / potions / massage tips etc., I'm all ears.

Thanks a lot
Helen
 
vit e cream....

guiness...

and i was terrified of putting ted on box rest. as i thought his lymphangitis would flare up, i removed his back shoes and this has stayed at bay.. personally.. id get her rested possibly out in a small paddock on her own as so she can keep moving.. id have her on danilon or bute.. 4 pack of guiness every week for a few weeks to up her healing.

also, take into account she's going to be moving less and might need a rug. DONT WRITE HER OFF! even at the end of it.. if all she could do is hack.... you've still got her!
 
My pony has been left with bowed leg ( hardly noticeable other than to me!) after damaging suspensory ligament last May. My vet says he needs to be mobile, keep the fibres breaking down, but no fast work on hard ground. He won't be able to jump again, but I don't care as he loves his hacking. Hope she is ok
smile.gif
 
I have a cob with considerable scar tissue over a check ligament tear.He is completely sound contrary to the doomsday scenario originally given by the vet.

We fed Arnica and my lovely OH bought me an Ultrasound handheld massager for xmas (Ebay! need the 3 mhz one) which i used twice aday in conjunction with Feldene Gel (£14 a tube from vet) and it really improved the lumpiness of the damaged area.

My boy's healing was potentially compromised by a tiny tear in his suspensory as well and the concern was with two ligaments damaged that the swelling of both was reducing blood flow and encouraging scar tissue.
 
Thanks for this, Arnica... why didn't I think of that, will definitely look into the ultrasound machine, I've had tonnes of ultrasound myself on various bits and bobs so fairly confident with using one. So nice to hear from people in the same boat.
 
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