Tenosinivitis, help needed

[kizzywiz]

Went down to get Kizzy in tonight, she took a couple of steps of trot in the field & I could see she was lame. She walked in not too bad, there was some heat & swelling above the fetlock inside & outside, she reacted to palpitation, & when I walked her forward she was more lame. Called the vet, who immediately thought it was an abcess as she was now extremely lame having been stood in the stable for an hour. She put the foot testers on, but bummer, no reaction at all. She palpitated the tendons, & the swollen area, & she did react. She has diagnosed a tenosinivitis, but at this stage can't tell if the tendons are affected, has told me to ice for 15 mins 3 times daily, & has given me some anti inflammatories. Got to call her in 2 days & let her know if the swelling has gone down, & to arrange a scan, she thinks she has twisted her fetlock, there is an unexplained ridge halfway up the back of the tendon. Just wondered if anyone had any thoughts, I realise it could be a long job if she has damaged the tendons, but could it be some sort of sprain? Any thoughts gratefully received. Thanks.

 

[Bounty]

My mare came in from the field crippled with tenosynovitis in both hinds (we don't know how she caused it), and was box rested, cold hosed and buted. The fluid didn't disperse for a long while, and whilst it was present we couldn't scan, so she continued on box rest.

Unfortunately every complication possible arose

It turned out that she had torn her DDFT, but the persistent swelling in her right hind from the tenosynovitis led to her annular ligament becoming constricted, so that would have needed surgery. To top it all off the box rest triggered bone spavins, which had obviously been lurking but kept at bay by ridden work and field exercise, in both hinds, and DJD in her coffin joint in the right hind.

Anyway - not much advice on the tenosynovitis front, but after my experience I would push hard for any kind of diagnosis rather than just persevering with the box rest - I learnt my lesson the hard way

 

[lizzieuk1]

swelling around the tendon is pretty sure to be tendon damage of some type, the ridge could be where the damage has occured. i would def cold hose as often as poss if you can do it every hour for the first few days, box rest as well. def get a scan asap and if your vet isn't an equine specialist i'd get one in quick, that will give the best chance of an accurate diagnosis and best treatment plan

 

[kizzywiz]

Little & I hope positive update here, brought her out of the stable this morning & the heat was less, & the swelling had dispursed slightly, she was now sound in walk. Spoke to the vet & she told me that this is a really good indication that there is no tendon damage, as apparently if there were, she would still be hopping. Luckily for me a really good friend runs a TB rehab yard near Lambourn, & she had a spare stable. Took Kizzy there today to join the racehorses & she has started her therapy programme, she was really chilled when I left her, tucking in to a hay net whilst having her magnetic therapy. Sam rang me tonight to say the swelling has gone down already, & she was pretty sure that she has strained her fetlock, which ties in with what the vet said too. Fingers crossed that recovery is not too far away.