Severed Tendon and Dropped Fetlock?

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Tinkle

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Hello all.

Self explanatory really - anyone had any experience with serious tendon injuries (as in a laceration to the leg which has caused a possible severed tendon) and consequently a dropped fetlock? Any views - good or bad. Owner is seeking a second opinion from another vet, however, if anyone else had any experience with an injury of this kind I could try to pass the information on.

Thanks very much.

Isobel
x
 
My horse split his DDFT. He had a lot of heat and swelling in the area as well as pain and lameness (he was trotting on 3 legs). It was caused by an injury in the field.

An ultrasound revealed a problem with the tendon and tenoscopy surgery revealed the actual split and split fetlock cartilage. My horses fetlock was not dropped, but I have heard of it happening with tendon injuries, it could also be the result of lacerated nerves.

Its certainly worth getting a second opinion.

My horse is hacked out, which is a miracle considering the vets thought he would be in pain and would need Danilon to be turned out.

I hope the horse is ok and makes a full recovery. x
 
i remember a couple of years back a horse which severed all the sheaths and th DDFT and SDFT and basically was in a very bad way.

Our farrier at the time, welded two shoes together in the shap of an eight and then nailed this on the off ultimate, availble support.

The horse never jumped again but does, as far as i know still compete up to advanced medium.

Lou x
 
Hi you are very welcome.

He was on box rest for 2 weeks due to his stitches, being walked out in hand for 10 mins twice a day.

Once I had removed his stitches he went into a restricted grazing area for 15 mins, 20 mins etc building up weekly. My horse also had exercise in hand and the time was gradually increased over time. I was advised to keep my horse moving to help the healing tendon fibres align. Otherwise nature would lay down the new fibres randomly causing adhesions to form. When stabled, he had his stable bandages on for 4 weeks to help with post op swelling and filled legs.

Its also important that gentle regular exercise was encouraged for my horse, I had to be careful not to stress the tendon.

I was riding in walk for 15 mins at 6 weeks, he was sound and comfortable enough and I rode him in the school as he was getting bored.

It takes 12-18 months for a tendon to heal.
 
Pics would help. When did he DO the injury - and when you say 'dropped' do you mean the fetlock is dropping down towards the ground - or that he's knuckling over on it. It certainly sounds like he HAS severed a tendon - if the fetlock is dropping towards the ground (not knuckling over) then it will be the flexor tendons - unfortunately the prognosis is NOT the greatest with this type of injury.

Personally I would want the horse at a GOOD equine hospital ASAP for scanning and treatment.
 
My horse lacerated his o/s hind fetlock joint from one side to the other in a riding accident in 1997. He severed an extensor tendon and severely tore a tendon branching off this tendon? I was told he could live a good life with this severed tendon and I would be able to ride him again. Alas despite 3 ops under GA he could not be saved but this was due to the joint capsule not healing and opening up again, not the tendon issue. www.horseshoes.com/anatomy section is interesting as it has about dropped fetlock and a photo under the suspensory desmitis article.
 
Hi
My horse (Sec D) tore both his DDFT and SFT. I opted to have the operation where they debride the Tendons! (Basically make a cut in them to help new fibres grow correctly) After the operation he was dog lame and the vet said he'd never be ridden again.
After the initial box rest I threw him out for 2 years, just so he could keep moving.
He is now competing at Dressage and winning also he is back to jumping, and is still as fast as before.
The first time he won after the operation the show organiser must have thought I was a freak ! I couldn't stop crying, he's won hundreds of rossettes but that was really special.
My advice would be to see if they could debride it to make a neater cut which will allow the fibres to match up and grow. Follow the aftercare to the letter ! Box rest in hand walking etc......... And most of all time is the best healer.
Good luck, thoughts are with you.
smile.gif
 
a severed tendon (cut right through) tends to heal much better than a pulled tendon, if it starts healing at all, in my (limited) experience.
a friend had a good little jumping horse who totally severed ddft and sdft out on a hack. first 2 vets there wanted to pts. she insisted on another opinion, got a vet who would attempt to save him. the horse's tendons healed very well - well enough for her to hack him around for years, including charging around at canter and gallop etc.
 
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