Update on tendon question - how long until you can scan after initial injury?

[Birker2020]

The answer is 48 hours +. That's what my vet said when he came out last night to scan my horses leg The vet has diagnosed a sprain of the lateral branch of the suspensory ligament. He needs 2 weeks box rest, ice therapy (ice cups), clay, ultrasound treatment, bandaging, and 15 mins walking twice a day. Return to full work within a 2-3 month timeframe. He tweaked it originally on Friday and there was heat and swelling on the inside of his front leg. I ice cupped it, ice packed it, clayed it, my friend treated it with pulsed magnotherapy, and we gave him anti inflammatories, and strict box rest. Thankfully this minimised the injury.

The vet says he is 95% - 100% confident of a full return to work. He is coming out again to rescan in a fortnight and then if all is well discuss turn out and a return to ridden work albeit 6 weeks of walk, before progressing to anything more.

Although its a pain as it will rule out the rest of the summer - and my planned 3 day event, fun rides, and Horse Trials this sunday the situation could have been a lot worse so I am very glad that we caught it early.

I can look ahead to the winter indoor jumping and dressage now, and hopefully attain my goal of reaffiliating my horse BS or maybe even affiliate him BD.

 

[Izzwizz]

Hmmmn how interesting that vets have differing opinions on things. Mine didnt do the scan until a week or so later. We didnt use bandages atall, did the cold hosing, did the ultrasound treatment and she had a course of Adequan. She was on box rest for 10 weeks with daily in hand walking.

My mare had a sprain of the lateral branch of the suspensory too, swelling around the annular ligament and a very small tear of her SDFT (so small it was nearly missed on the scan). Shes turned out now and having a few months off, well into next year, when she will slowly come back into work. This injury was done tearing round the field in March and was the opposite leg to her DDFT tear 2 yrs ago. Vet described it as a race horse injury.

Hope your horse comes sound and good luck. Its time and patience. You will have to do some decorating instead lol!

 

[loopylucifer]

i was going to say its normaly a week to 10days later.

 

[Birker2020]

Hmmmn how interesting that vets have differing opinions on things. Mine didnt do the scan until a week or so later. We didnt use bandages atall, did the cold hosing, did the ultrasound treatment and she had a course of Adequan. She was on box rest for 10 weeks with daily in hand walking.
QUOTE]

Hi Izzwizz

I think that opinions vary depending on the severity of the injury. My vet says that bandages provide support particuarly to the opposite limb which is taking more weight. It will also provide a certain amount of compression which can be advantageous. I understand cold hosing is good but the temperature can vary especially in hot weather when the water that comes out of taps can be warmer, but ice cups are better as they provide an instant and consistent temperature.