Very confused. Lame one day, sound the next. Help

[jazzy19950]

Arthur became lame 3 weeks ago, Vet was called and diagnosed swelling on check ligament, which has since dissapeared. A week later he developed bursal enlargement on suspensory ligament, which is apparent some days but not others, he has been box rested and turned out in small paddock and nothing we do seems to make any difference, he pratted around in field slightly yesterday and was sound even when trotting himself in circle, he was sound first thing this morning and then appeared lame at lunchtime. Will get it scanned this week but just wondering if anyone has any experience of this kind of mysterious lameness which is intermittent. Thanks in advance.

 

[Birker2020]

The main indicators of check ligament injury are:

Slight to moderate lameness, usually occurring during, or shortly after, exercise, although some horses are not obviously lame.

Swelling, and then thickening, of the inferior check ligament - at the back of the leg, below the knee.

Heat and pain in the area of injury.
If you notice any suspicious soft tissue swelling at the back of the leg, particularly below the knee, call your vet.

One of the frustrations with tendon and ligament injuries is that the horse may not be obviously lame, or there maybe a bout of lameness which resolves rapidly.

If the severity of the injury is not recognised and the horse resumes work as soon as the lameness disappears, there is a high risk that the ligament injury will end up being serious.