Ultrasound results :( i'm heartbroken.

charleysummer

charleysummer

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My beautiful little mare has been lame for a while, getting progressivley worse- at first we thought it was just being footsore from hard ground (what the farrier thought) then it got worse and we called the physio and vet out. She has been on bute for a while and box rest but today she went for ultrasound.

Turns out that the (deep digital?) has a tear, i could see it onthe ultrasound but can't quite remember what he called it, i was feeling very sick and upset at this point- apparently it is an unusual place and is the cause of a tight turn and would progressivley get worse- also there is soft tissue thickening.

She is going for the operation and is having the ligament 'shaved' where the tear is as the fibres are irritating, and also the thickening removed. She will be on rest of course for a while but from reading other people's experience it doesn't sound like she will ever go back to being sound again- which is heartbreaking as she is only 7 and a fantastically talented mare.
So i'm not sure what to do now :( the surgery is at 11 tomorrow and she can come home friday or saturday. I have no idea what will happen then. I don't think i could ever sell her on with an injury as i know how ruthless horse people can be. So i'm sure she may enjoy a life of eating and light work in a few months. It is just heartbreaking as she had come on so well and i'd brought her on from scratch :( she is the nicest horse i've ever known
 
Thats sad news. The best thing you can do, is take each day as it comes. If the vets advise what to do, with x amount of weeks box rest then hand walking etc. Just count down the weeks. Don't think of the outcome, as horses can surprise us.
She may never be your super star competition horse, but maybe she could be a fab hack for someone?
Its amazing how a few weeks can change your outlook on a lame horse. You have had a shock, get the op out the way then start the rehab.
Good luck with her, if you need ideas on how to keep her happy in the stable I bet loads of people will offer ideas. Swedes hung up, treat balls etc.
Keep us posted. x
 
I've been watching for your post, sorry to hear it is this injury, I did suspect it from your description in the first post. Dependent where the tear is, & whether it goes across the tendon, or from top to bottom will all affect the prognosis, as will how far into the tendon it goes. A tear like this is better than one in the middle (a core lesion). The thickening you describe sounds like the annular ligament is affected & has been rubbing on the tendon, once they have cut the ligament it should give no further problems. Also depending whether it is a front or back leg affects the outcome.

When they discharge her, the vet will give you a detailed rehab programme, it will involve lots of inhand walking, it is absolutely VITAL that you stick to the programme religiously, this helps ensure that the fibres heal straight, not all like a ball of wool, & that the tendon doesn't stick to the sheath. First time Kizzy came back real good, second time with the front leg, despite a text book rehab, the tendon has healed with a big adhesion, so can't slide through the sheath properly.

Take it one day at a time, & do not be distracted from the vets advice by well meaning friends/liveries.

Good luck with it all xxx
 
thanks for the replies. it really is such a shame it really was a shock after how quickly she got worse- whilst the vet was explaining i almost passed out and felt like i was going to be a bit sick thinking about her being ridden with the tear- and i'm not normally like that at all! (he said i wouldnt have noticed at first and it would just have gotten worse each day gradually) she is such a sweetheart and kept whickering at all the vets and stablegirls on the yard- i get the call sometime around 12 i suppose tomorrow about her surgery.
Seriously wish i hadn't plastered facebook with pictures of her at shows etc now! its a bit difficult to look at!
 
charleysummer

I have PM'd you a list of homeopathic pills I used with great success.

I have an Arab gelding (An Advanced Endurance Horse) that did a very very bad hind suspensory ligament (A hole as big as a golf ball) He did this injury 12 months ago and in August he completed a 65k (40 miles) ride. He was sound after the ride and has remand sound.

If you want to know what I did as rehab I can let you know.
 
Im so sorry hun. As said above take each day as it comes. I work at a race yard and ligament/tendon troubles are a regular ocurance, amazingly a lot do come back to racing so don't give up all hope just yet. xxx
 
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I definatley won't give up hope yet, i've been doing research and apparently stem cells work very well as they regrow the tendon (as opposed to more fragile scar tissue) but it seems this isn't widely used yet unfortunatly, or else i'd love to have given that a go. I got your PM i'll have a read now, does anyone else have any experience of DDFT tears? just wondering what the longterm outlook is, i.e if she is likely to be able to ever jump again or if it will be light hacking etc. I've just about calmed down-ish 11 hours later, although i'm still so upset :(
 
Hi Charleys. dont lose heart over this. My mare was diagnosed via mri last Sept. To cut it short she had a bad tear to her DDFT deep within her hoof and mri was the only way - in the end - that it was found. She had to have wedges in her wedge shoes, then gradually down to just wedge shoes on their own, then egg bars. All this to support her heel and take the pressure of the tendon. She was on box rest and hand walked, then ridden exercise began in Feb this year. She was still on box confinement but went sore again in April. Back to horsepital to have another injection into her navicular bursa, (she had one in Jan before ridden work was started as the re-scan showed up inflammation in the navic bursa) She was then turned out in May 24/7 and ridden daily, building up the time out. The vet came out periodically to check her progress and trot work uphill was introduced. We never touched an arena atall until July, then under the watchful eye of my trainer, we did 15 mins of school work after a walk round the block to warm her up. She has done very well to the point that we have been to walk trot dressage, not done prelim as not wanting to push her this year. Izzy has done really well and exceeded my expectations, hacking out up to 2hrs now. I am careful where I take her and she does feel the stony surfaces. We had a blip last thursday when during our lesson she started limping. We stopped, no swelling atall, then continued in walk, then large figures of 8 in trot and then canter and no further limping. Think she was trying it on!! It did frighten me though and my trainer has said to hack her out between now and our next due lesson and see how she goes and he is going to have a word with the vet who treated her. We are now out of insurance so I am wary of our next steps and have considered sacking the lessons on her and concentrating on my other horse. However, she is a beautiful horse with lovely paces (Hanoverian/tb) but I will not push her if its too risky.

So dont give up and be sad about it all with your horse. They can and do come right, we just have to be careful what we do with them Izzy will never jump again which is a shame as she loves it and I will never lunge her either. She is 15 now and I love her to bits. I lost my last horse to a broked leg in the field at 7 so this mare is very special. PM me if you have any questions atall. x
 
She is being operated on now and i feel so sick! i'm still in disbelief, it hasnt really sunk in that i can't ride her for that amount of time and take her out places having fun together. As my mum said 'its the type of thing that happens to other people and other people's horses!' i just cant believe its happened to me and mine =[ if it is ok with the vets i'll go and see her today after her operation. I just have to keep my sanity for the next 40 minutes she is being operated on...
 
Try not to worry too much, i'm sure she's in the best of hands.

I felt the same when I was told about my boy being on box rest for 12 weeks. It seems like a long time but in all honesty it goes by pretty quickly. I've also found that spending so much time with him every day we've become much closer, plus i've had a fair bit of fun making him all sorts of toys to play with.
 
charleysummer said:
I definatley won't give up hope yet, i've been doing research and apparently stem cells work very well as they regrow the tendon (as opposed to more fragile scar tissue) but it seems this isn't widely used yet unfortunatly, or else i'd love to have given that a go. I got your PM i'll have a read now, does anyone else have any experience of DDFT tears? just wondering what the longterm outlook is, i.e if she is likely to be able to ever jump again or if it will be light hacking etc. I've just about calmed down-ish 11 hours later, although i'm still so upset :(
Click to expand...

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=256572&highlight=stem+cells+tendon+tears
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=351969&highlight=stem+cells+tendon+tears
 
Good luck with the op, they'll be able to let you know the type of recovery when they've had a better look.

My situation: My SJ horse tore his DDFT back in March '10. We went on a bit of a tangent trying to work out what was wrong & at the end of Apr '10 his DDFT was operated on.

He was on strict box rest for 5 months.
After the first week, I had to walk him (inhand) twice daily for 5 mins.
This then built up to 20mins twice daily. He went under saddle after month 3 (ie month 4). Again, walking twice daily for 20mins.
In month 5 we introduced trot work. This increased to 15mins continuous trotting twice daily.

We have had a few little set backs, due to him leaping around like a loon & tweeking something. He bucks & spins as though it's 2nd nature, but this is how he was before if you gave him time off.

Into month 6 we achieved turnout, again a minor set back, but the last week he appears to be staying sound (touches wood).

I've had him on the vets' joint stuff & I also bought him blue chip dynamic to give him every chance.

I dont know whether he will ever jump as he did before (newcomers+), but as long as he's hacking sound and maybe hunting fit, he'll have a home for life.


I wish you all the best, but I have had 5months of having to care for him twice a day & he's a box walker too. I had to ride regardless of the weather & doing it this way should ensure him the best odds.

Again, good luck. x
 
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so after the op does that mean she can't go out at all for so many months?.. i'm not sure she'd cope with that. I'm just so angry at myself i just think i should have been really gentle with her and it wouldnt have happened. I just keep welling up every time i think about it :( the vets havent rang back yet. I just don't know where to go from here. I love that pony so much and i dont want to give up hope but the outlook looks nothing more than completley hopless from reading the majority other people's experiences on the internet.
 
The vets will ring you when they have finished & will explain exactly what they did & what they found, then they will give you an idea on the rehab. When you go & collect her they will give you full discharge instructions with a detailed rehab programme, Kizzy had 8 weeks box rest with increasing amounts of in hand walking, then turn out in a small pen for a further 8 weeks with ridden walking, then a rescan & introducing small amounts of trot. Try not to panic till they ring, but yes, she will have to have box rest but I am sure she will be fine when she is in a routine. I would avoid visiting her today, if she has had a GA she will be a bit groggy, nicer for you to visit tomorrow when she will be more perky xx
 
I went to see her today about an hour after she had woken up, she was groggy and very sweaty from the operation but i'm glad i went- she was looking very down but neighed as soon as she saw me coming and perked up a bit :) then she was happy to have a big bowl of food and hay so glad to know she is happier now- i posted an update about the operation, unfortunatly it wasnt a great sucsess, there was alot of thickening onthe ligament i think, it has been cut but they couldnt reach the DDFT - they are now carrying out stem cell treatment for her. I guess realistically the outcome isnt going to be good but have to make the best of what is there :(. maybe stem cels will work a miracle who knows :/ have to keep hoping eyy,
 
OH hun I really feel for your pain! There is not much I can say except most of us have been there and it is so hard. Not the same injury but I eventually gave up after4 years of different things going badly with the same horse and retired him. I was so lucky my friend took him on and was able to get another horse. I can never repay my thanks to her as I could never have let him go otherwise, and who would have wanted him
 
I would follow the vets advise in regards to box rest, controlled exercise etc, and if possible find a spa to get her to to have regular treatment early on. This will help increase bloodflow to the area and help the foot try to heal itself. Once she is at a point of being able to be turned out, I would take shoes off and turn her away for a few mnths, making sure feet are kept regularly trimmed to keep in balance.

Ligament and tendons CAN heal, but you have to give the body every chance to heal it self. Make sure the foot has as good circulation around it as possible, and is kept in good balance, as this will help prevent further strain.

I know a horse who had this injury quite seriously, he was turned away for 6mnths and was brought back in when he was jumping out over a 5ft hedge! He has gone on to be a good allrounder, and is fit enough to go back eventing :)

I'm really anti wedges in shoes, as they can actually cause compacted heels, and reduce bloodflow to the feet. If your vet suggests these, please ask for a details reason WHY, and voice concerns about collapsed heels.
 
KatB said:
I would follow the vets advise in regards to box rest, controlled exercise etc, and if possible find a spa to get her to to have regular treatment early on. This will help increase bloodflow to the area and help the foot try to heal itself. Once she is at a point of being able to be turned out, I would take shoes off and turn her away for a few mnths, making sure feet are kept regularly trimmed to keep in balance.

Ligament and tendons CAN heal, but you have to give the body every chance to heal it self. Make sure the foot has as good circulation around it as possible, and is kept in good balance, as this will help prevent further strain.

I know a horse who had this injury quite seriously, he was turned away for 6mnths and was brought back in when he was jumping out over a 5ft hedge! He has gone on to be a good allrounder, and is fit enough to go back eventing :)

I'm really anti wedges in shoes, as they can actually cause compacted heels, and reduce bloodflow to the feet. If your vet suggests these, please ask for a details reason WHY, and voice concerns about collapsed heels.
Click to expand...

My vet has already arranged for her to have wedges put on :/ i have read that barefoot is better a few times but then why is the vet doing this? unfortunatly stem cells are not an option due to where it is, but the vet said today he thinks she will come sound again :) so at least its a bit of light at the end of the tunnel... i just want to do whatever is best for her now at the start of the treatment to give her the best possible chance. So please people throw all your experiences and ideas at me so i know what is best!
 
Oh, you poor thing!

I have 2 horses that have been through KSS, both have done suspensories within 3 days of each other and one has fractured his leg in the past. Horses really put you through it but like everyone else has said, they can come through it just fine. Just make sure you do exactly as the vet says BUT also research everything that they tell you. Then if you see a course of treatment that they may not have suggested, ask them about it. You're paying the bill!

Finally, with both my boys, I noticed if I was down, they were too. I think its a bit like poorly people - you have to be positive and full of the joys of spring. A positive frame of mind will rub off and she will be super in no time.

Oh, and a treat ball always helps!!;) Good luck - you might find she surprises you!!!!
 
Go with your gut instinct, i absolutely would not have wedges, personally i feel barefoot would be the best way, it is certainly what i would do. How can the foot heal properly incarcerated in all that?

Remember vets and farriers work closely together, making nice amounts of money, why on earth suggest barefoot? No one's making any money ;)

Wish you luck with your horse, and do your own research, there is enough of it out there if your prepared to take a more alternative view.
 
So if she went barefoot as opposed to wedges how exactly would this help ? in as much detail as possible so i know what i'm on about when i ask the vet, and would she have special barefoot trimming to change her hoof shape? also what problems do the wedges cause exactly- i know it has already been said about blood flow etc but i'd like to know as much as possible
 
Wedges will quite often cause contracted heels, as it increases pressure to the heel area, and so reduces bloodflow and stops the foot working how it should. Feet should naturally have the frog as the "shock absorber" which stimulates bloodflow around the foot when it is in contact with the ground, as the foot is allowed to splay slightly and acts a bit like a pump. You will see barefoot horses with a lot broader, flatter frogs than a lot of shod horses.

Putting wedges on quite often flattens the heel, and restricts the natural action of the frog. Healing occurs quicker through good bloodflow through the effected area, therefore, to me it makes no sense to use something that restricts bloodflow to something you are trying to heal, and in the long term will end up with a problem that also needs to be resolved, namely contracted heels!

Just my opinion though, I am not a vet or a farrier, but it is something I have researched a lot! Speak to your vet, and see what reasons they give, but don;t be afraid to dispute something!

ETA, this is worth reading:

http://www.performancebarefoot.co.uk/jessica.html

It is difficult though, cos obviously it does very much depend on the methods employed by your farrier/vet, and what the long term aim is.... alongside your horses natural conformation :)
 
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thanks that was a interesting read, she had got wedges put on. i spoke to my farrier and he said i should try the wedges as its the vet's reccomendation, the vet had them put on anyway so i shall see how it goes. She is coming home today =/ to start her box rest which she is going to hate. her stable looks more like a child's playarea atm though so just have to make the best of what i got i spose!
 
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