Vet out to lameness that presented with no heat, swelling or pain.

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Uniique

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Ok bailey has been lame 20 days today with no heat, swelling or pain on palpatation. had the farrier out who ruled out an absess or bruise and there where no reaction to hoof testers.
So had vet out yesterday - lunged on right rein, as lamness in off fore and he was hopping lame. Also lame after felxion. Began nerve blocking foot, still lame, moved to fetlock and came 80% sound, nerve blocked knee down, still off by 20% :/
conclusion? two problems one in foot/pastern one above knee in shoulder or neck? Vet had already been there 1hr 40mins and didnt want to block higher as very difficult & didnt want to do on the yard.
So he is booked into Arundel for xrays and bone scans!! And is then likely to be reffered to Bell equine (all the way in Kent!!!) for Mri scans :( Unsure about the problem higher up. Vet said thing on top of the list for hoof/pastern area is collateral ligament damage.
Any expereince of this injury (i know it largely depends on severity).
Will be taking him to Arundel on the 14th :(
Sam x x
 
Booked for bonescans followed by x-rays the next day on the 14th. Going to do it all at one. Will xray foot, pastern and possible kneck (to look at whats going on higher up) x x
 
Collateral ligament damage isn't great news but the fact that you've caught it so quickly greatly improves the chance of recovery. Treatment options include IRAP, shock wave and remedial shoeing as well as steriod injections to the coffin joints to reduce any associated inflammation. Normally vets recommend between six and eighteen months off depending on severity and other factors but can vary. Try not to worry too much until after the MRI. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.
 
My horse Bailey has collateral ligament damage. He presented with no heat or swelling, didn't react to hoof testers. Nerve blocked and came sound above pastern. Had x-rays and showed nothing. Went to Liphook for an MRI scan 6 months after injury as vet thought it was navicular!!!!!!! and I insited that he was scanned. Scan showed a sprain to lateral collateral ligament. He had been sound and on controlled exercise during the 6 months but went lame after a trip! He has now been on total box rest since last July, he has now started controlled exercise and is sound as pound. He has had Tildren, coffin joint medicated several times, and Irap. Shockwave wasn't an option as injury was deep into hoof. If it is collateral ligament damage then it's a long recovery and very draining on the emotions. His future is still uncertain and I take it a day at a time, he is only 8 and he was going to be my dressage star! BUT with today's treatments and plenty of rest then hopefully he will come right. I have done extensive research into this injury and there is not much info out there, but one significant piece of info that i found on a major study done is that boxrest is the key and remedial farriery, a big no no is turnout even into a small paddock. Shoe wise I use PLR (Performance Leverage Reduction) shoes they are natural balance and made of alliuminum. THey are the latest therapy for this injury, and were recomended by vet at Liphook. Good luck and I hope that your prognosis is good.xxxxxx
 
I've also done a lot of research into this injury (having lost one to a ruptured collateral ligament in 2003 and having had Jesper diagnosed two years ago). The effectiveness of box rest is still under debate and does depend on your vet. Interestingly Liphook advised us to turn Jesper out which I whole heartedly agreed with. Admittedly he went out alone and in a small paddock but I think turn out is vital for their well mental well being. Additionally my vets view was that if the leg won't stand up to a quick trot round the field then it would never stand up to work.
Unfortunately the nature of collateral ligament damage means it tends to reoccur easily hence why a number of horses return to controlled exercise/light work but unfortunately go lame again when asked to do more.
It's worth throwing everything you can at the injury and liaising very closely with your vet as more is being learnt about this injury and how to treat it every year. Sue Dyson is who I would turn to for advice if I had the choice.
 
Liphook told me that Bailey was to stay on total boxrest for a total of 6 months with controlled exercise. He only had a strain to his lateral collateral ligament and only in one foot so not too bad. I also contacted Sue Dyson who told me the exact same! and Sven Gold did too!!!! so i went with what the experts told me to do rather than go my own route, as i'm not a veterinary expert. Lucky for me he has stayed sane but then he is ridden 6 days a week, and is stabled in a big barn. Everything has been thrown at him medication wise and he is doing really well. His re-hab has been long and tedious and not for the faint hearted, getting up at 5am to ride in middle of winter around the lanes is no joke, but it has paid off. Things change all the time, opinions change all the time. Some say turnout others don't. I just went by what i was told to do and so far he is doing really well, with the combination of my vet,osteo, and farrier to all I owe a huge debt. Good luck with your horse and only you can decide what is best for him and what route you want to take. Don't listen to some that tell you different go with your heart and the people that you trust.x
 
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