This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Lower Limb » Overview of Fetlock (Ankle) Lameness »
  Discussion on Collateral Ligament Damage with New Bone Growth
Author Message
Member:
Jolie

Posted on Monday, Aug 4, 2003 - 12:50 pm:

Dr. O

Our newly bought horse has been diagnosed with Collateral Ligament Damage with New Bone Growth. It is my understanding that this is not ringbone as the growth is not in the joint. We have had three sets of x-rays taken since March. The following is a brief description of the events.
Set one was taken in MARCH shortly after we brought Concho home and he was undergoing a vet check. You could tell that he had seriously injured his rear left ankle some time in the past, our vet wanted to make sure there was no permanent damage, the ankle appeared clean on the x-ray. In APRIL he displayed what I considered Grade 4 or 5 lameness. He would not put weight on left hind leg while standing, began kicking his leg up underneath him at frequent intervals, but would put slight weight on when asked to walk. The second set of x-rays showed a “new bone growth” about the size of a pea on the inside of his left hind ankle. Between April and July 31st he has been ridden often and with much success. He was always given 4 grams of bute the night before and the night after a ride. This seemed to be handling the pain very well and he excelled at everything he was asked to do. The evening of July 31st he displayed a new discomfort. While walking he would place his toe on the ground then attempt to lower the rest of his hoof, during this process you could visually see the ankle catching. He was given bute and we made an appointment for still another set of x-rays. The following morning he was walking normally (for him). The third set of x-rays showed that the bone growth had enlarged tremendously it is now approximatley the size of a LARGE marble. At this point we are theorizing that the growth is catching or rubbing on a ligament. He currently shows signs of moderate to severe pain daily but I have not witnessed the toe walking/ankle catching symptom again.

We have been told that surgery could be done to remove the growth but that it would just reoccur. With the rapid rate of growth (I am still unclear as to why this is happening) I don’t see how surgery would be justified.
Concho is an amazing animal and we are willing to try almost anything at this point to alleviate his pain and extend his time with us. The following are a few of the questions we are seeking answers for:

1. What usually causes this?
2. Is it probable that the ligament is or could be damaged/tourn?
3. What are the options available (if any) to fix the problem?
5. Do you feel the prognosis is unfavorable and euthanasia is our only option versus the animal being crippled and in pain?

Today I am sending the x-rays out of state to a equine specialist but was wondering what your opnion would be. I have gleamed so much information from this site but I seem to be coming up short for answers to this problem.

Thanks Again Dr. O for beinging there for everyone.

Jolie
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 5, 2003 - 5:47 pm:

Well Jolie, thanks for the kudos but you have already figured the critical step: send the radiorgraphs to the pros to review. Your description is a bit odd and does not really fit a traumatic lesion well. To answer your questions is really gonna require careful review of your radiographs. Let's see what diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis they give, then perhaps I can be of some help.
DrO
Member:
Jolie

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 6, 2003 - 8:50 am:

Thanks Dr. O

I am HOPEING to hear from the vet in Oklahoma today. I will let you know.

Jolie
Member:
Jolie

Posted on Friday, Aug 15, 2003 - 10:18 am:

Dr. O

I finally heard from the vet, just over the phone nothing in writing, so please bare with me. It is his opnion that the "new bone growth" is probably not the culprit. He stated that he feels that the(excuse the spelling)medial plamer digital nerve is being tugged or pulled due to scaring. He feels this is so as Concho is not lame all the time. He suggests that next time he pulls up lame to block this nerve. If it relieves his symptons he suggests surgery to nerve him.

First, what do you think? Second is there a section on nerves within the advisor?

Thanks
Jolie
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Aug 16, 2003 - 4:20 pm:

What does he base this diagnosis on, this would be an unusual cause of lamenss in a horse who has not been previously nerved. In humans trapped nerves (usually vascular intanglements but occasionally fibrous tissue) are very painful all the time and the impinged nerve very sensitive to touch: does this describe your horse? Any lameness distal to the nerve would be partially blocked by this procedure so the test is not diagnostic, then again if he remains lame this would rule this out.
DrO
Member:
Jolie

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 19, 2003 - 11:51 am:

Dr O

Boy is this frustrating. No, he does not seem sensitive to the touch and he is not lame constantly. He does walk more on the outside of his hind left hoof constantly and the ankle in question is at least twice the size of the right. My trainer contacted this vet (he had referred him to me)and was told that the vets opinion is there is no "new bone growth" but just scar tissue shadowing on the x-rays due to a very old injury (5 years). He did not mention this to me when I spoke to him on the phone. Concho has not been previously nerved.

This is the 4th vet who has x-rayed, examined or consulted on this problem, you are number 5. Although it is frustrating for us, my concern is for Concho. I have no doubt he is in some degree of pain all the time but has adjusted to it. A person could say "BIG HEART". Also he loves to work but has had to stay home more and more.

Where would you suggest I go from here? Any additional diagnostic tests that you would recommend?

Thanks for your input!!
Jolie
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 19, 2003 - 9:50 pm:

I think you need to find a vet who localizes lameness not with radiographs but with local analgesia, see the article on Overview of Diagnosis of Lameness. Once you know for sure where the location on the pain is perhaps the significance of the radiographic lesions you described above or the next diagnostic step clearer.
DrO
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC