Lgd
Well-Known Member
Peri, my now 23yo mare, struck into herself in the field last August while under treatment for ringbone (in the other foreleg!) and blew her SDFT very badly - at least 90% gone. She then developed horrendous pressure sores and associated cellulitis from the Robert Jones bandage. The prognosis was paddock sound at best if all the other structures in the leg held up. Been on box rest ever since, thankfully she has a beautiful relaxed nature so has managed it really well.
Had her back to the vets on Thursday for her review.
Complete ass to load - took 1½ hours so not an auspicious start!
Vet asked us to walk up yard and back, then asked the vet nurse to TROT her up ........and she was completely SOUND
Scan shows DDFT and suspensories completely fine. SDFT has healed better than expected, check ligament is bigger than on her good leg - may be that it was damaged in the original injury but it wasn't really visible due to the haematoma she had or it may be a compensatory development from taking more strain. No holes in it or disruption of any kind. A lot of superficial scarring from the pressure damage but in a bizarre way that is giving her leg better support.
No drop at all when she is walking, it is slightly lower than the good leg when standing but vet says unless you were looking for it you wouldn't really notice (although you can't miss the huge lump from the tendon/pressure damage).
So vet say start hand walking for 2 - 3 weeks, asks if it is OK to longline her to give some variety - Yes that's OK. Then he says ride her in walk for a month WHAT - she was never going to be rideable, couldn't believe it 
If everything is still holding up she then has to start trotting working up from 2 mins a day and adding another 2 mins on each week. No guarantees but amazingly better than ever expected.
Vet says she may get a bit more swelling or heat as some of the adhesions break up with the exercise. Provided she is sound just have to continue the work and can give her occasional bute to bring it down if necessary. He said it may be worth considering a tendon split to improve things further but we will see how she goes first, difficult decision to go for any form of surgery at her age, although she is very fit otherwise.
Back for review in early June and if satisfactory will probably make the decision to IRAP the ringbone joint shortly after (the IRAP was due to be given a week after she injured herself, so is already prepared). We have to do it by early July as the insurance runs out on the arthritis after that. It does look as thought the Tildren has done the job though and my farrier has noticed her being easier in picking up the hind feet.
Did have a few tears on the way home as the original prognosis was paddock sound at best. Now have to find her bridle and put it back together and will have to get Tavia's saddle adjusted to fit her as she no longer has one. Hers went on to Belle and now has different panels (and is far too wide for her anyway).
Now just need a few jingles that the rehab goes well.
Had her back to the vets on Thursday for her review.
Complete ass to load - took 1½ hours so not an auspicious start!
Vet asked us to walk up yard and back, then asked the vet nurse to TROT her up ........and she was completely SOUND
Scan shows DDFT and suspensories completely fine. SDFT has healed better than expected, check ligament is bigger than on her good leg - may be that it was damaged in the original injury but it wasn't really visible due to the haematoma she had or it may be a compensatory development from taking more strain. No holes in it or disruption of any kind. A lot of superficial scarring from the pressure damage but in a bizarre way that is giving her leg better support.
No drop at all when she is walking, it is slightly lower than the good leg when standing but vet says unless you were looking for it you wouldn't really notice (although you can't miss the huge lump from the tendon/pressure damage).
So vet say start hand walking for 2 - 3 weeks, asks if it is OK to longline her to give some variety - Yes that's OK. Then he says ride her in walk for a month
WHAT - she was never going to be rideable, couldn't believe it If everything is still holding up she then has to start trotting working up from 2 mins a day and adding another 2 mins on each week. No guarantees but amazingly better than ever expected.Vet says she may get a bit more swelling or heat as some of the adhesions break up with the exercise. Provided she is sound just have to continue the work and can give her occasional bute to bring it down if necessary. He said it may be worth considering a tendon split to improve things further but we will see how she goes first, difficult decision to go for any form of surgery at her age, although she is very fit otherwise.
Back for review in early June and if satisfactory will probably make the decision to IRAP the ringbone joint shortly after (the IRAP was due to be given a week after she injured herself, so is already prepared). We have to do it by early July as the insurance runs out on the arthritis after that. It does look as thought the Tildren has done the job though and my farrier has noticed her being easier in picking up the hind feet.
Did have a few tears on the way home as the original prognosis was paddock sound at best. Now have to find her bridle and put it back together and will have to get Tavia's saddle adjusted to fit her as she no longer has one. Hers went on to Belle and now has different panels (and is far too wide for her anyway).
Now just need a few jingles that the rehab goes well.
