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 » Suspensory Desmitis, Strain, & Sprain »
  Discussion on Suspensory strain in 10 year old stallion
Author Message
Member:
judyhens

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 24, 2007 - 6:49 pm:

We have a stallion who abruptly developed intermittent, mild lameness of the right fore shortly after coming down hard on the breeding mount. No heat, swelling, etc. were apparent. We saw nothing in his hoof and our trainer thought it was a shoulder. But again, no visible signs of where the injury was or what to even hyDrOtherapy. We rested him and gave him bute. When it didn't resolve with rest, we took him for evaluation and x-rays about two weeks later. Nothing was elicited by flexion. The lameness was not seen on hard or soft surfaces. x-rays of the foot showed no arthritic changes, no navicular. We started short rides. The horse seemed to be significantly better for a while, then took a few short steps and we rested him again. It is now going on 3 months. We took him out for the first time in a while and he was actually worse than when we were riding him. Therefore, we took him to Tx. A & M today. They did blocks and thought it was better when they blocked the one suspensory. They didn't see any tears (I am getting this second hand) but thought there was slight enlargement in the upper part of the ligament and have diagnosed a suspensory strain. (I did read your article...the only thing different was no heat, no visible swelling). Suggested walking him under saddle 45 minutes per day, then increasing to walking an hour per day/ 5 days per week. If he doesn't improve or actually worsens, they suggested something from a pig???? or making something from his own blood/ serum and injecting it into the suspensory. Do you have any articles on this? Perhaps I just need to do a search.

Any thoughts? We plan to start the new regime tomorrow. In actuality, he did do better when he was being lightly worked than following this long lay off.

Oh - while we were told bute was fine from a therapeutic standpoint, it might mask whether the walking was helping. I think the walking is supposed to help with getting the correct healing fibers.

Since I was at work, I really feel a little lost here. Would appreciate any input from anyone dealing with something similar. And any information you, Dr. O., might have would be greatly appreciated!
Judy
0 0
\_/
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jul 26, 2007 - 6:43 am:

Hello Judy,
Can you give a bit more detailed description of what procedures they are suggesting?
DrO
Member:
judyhens

Posted on Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 10:44 pm:

Ok, Dr.O,
I have the receipt in front of me now:
Feeding: normal
Exercise: 45 -60 minutes walking under saddle 5 days per week for 60 days.

Recheck lameness exam and ultrasound in 60 days. Other options to consider include A-cell injections, Stem Cell Therapy, Platelet Rich Plasma Injections, Shock Wave Therapy. I think he told Walter that he had had very good results with two of these, but that each horse is different. What are your thoughts?
Judy
0 0
\_/
P.S. He has been ridden 3 times since the vet check. Although he is still slightly off, it is definitely not worse. If anything it is better.
Our biggest problem is he wants to trot. Is taking a few trot steps a problem? Our trainers can get him walking pretty quickly, probably in only a few feet of trotting...
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 6:55 am:

With the possible exception of shock wave these treatments are primarily designed to help torn tissues regenerate and since you do not have any torn tissues I am uncertain why they were recommended. To learn more about shock-wave see Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Treatment Methods » Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy. Concerning the trotting that is hard for me to evaluate and it could be important, so I suggest you discuss this with the veterinarians who evaluated the horse.
DrO
Member:
judyhens

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 - 9:13 am:

Thanks. I will ask. We were told it was a strain. I think there was some enlargement by ultrasound at the proximal end of the suspensory. I will read about the Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy. This horse has been sound his whole life and I prefer to treat this as conservatively as possible. I.E. treatments with the least side effects possible.

Thanks for your help!

Judy
0 0
\_/
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