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  Discussion on Swollen extensor tendons
Author Message
Member:
Proctor

Posted on Friday, May 14, 2004 - 7:06 am:

Dr. O--
patient: Peruvian Paso 4 yr mare, 7 months bred
history: had abscess right hind 2 weeks ago-gravelled out at medial coronary band. in past week mare has developed localized swelling of the extensor tendons symmetrical both hind legs from midcannon to dorsal fetlock. there is heat but minimal pain on palpation. gait is slightly abnormal but not major lameness. the owner was wrapping legs at time of abscess for support but she felt the swelling was unrelated.

Any ideas, comments?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, May 14, 2004 - 8:06 am:

I agree that the swelling, since it is bilateral, is not likely to be secondary to the abscess. It is odd to see a that horse has apparently injured them both though I have had a TWH that did something similar. Fortunately these tendons usually heal without complications but with a PP I wonder if this might be somehow related to degenerative suspensory disease developing. It is not a common first sign that I am aware of.
DrO
Member:
Proctor

Posted on Friday, May 14, 2004 - 12:51 pm:

Thank you for your response Dr.O
My thought process actually on the wraps was maybe too tight causing some inflammation--almost like a bandage bow but pulling too tight when crossing the dorsal cannon..I guess that was the only way I could explain the symmetry of the swelling. Ever seen anything like that before?
The owner is very concerned about DSLD, but everything appears okay (at this time).
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 11:58 am:

While I have seen the flexors bowed this way never the extensors. They hug the cannon so tightly that it would be hard to get the bandage on in a way to harm them.
DrO
Member:
Parfait

Posted on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 2:20 pm:

I have done this to my mare and my friend (a vet tech with lots of wrapping experience also) has done it to her's. Both have similar conformation: long pasterns and the legs sinks down fairly far with each step. Now, this is just a theory, but we have both solved the problem by using extremely thick pillow wraps instead of the preferred no bows, and wrapping all the way down. I have even had vets kill tissue on this horse from wrapping her too tight and she has the white hair to prove it, like the front of her LH cannon... some horses are just more sensitive maybe. Personally, I only have real problems wrapping the fronts. Hope it helps.
Kerry
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 7:58 am:

Perhaps Kerry, but I think you would have to work very hard to bow the front extensors without hurting the flexors with a bandage. My horse did this without any wrapping at all so I wonder if it really was the bandages that caused your problems. I have seen many poorly put on bandages that resulted in a small consticted area and damage to the underlying skin and tissues but that really is not the same thing as described above.
DrO
Member:
Parfait

Posted on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 11:34 am:

Sorry Dr O. I should have been more clear.

I can with regularity cause a hardening and swelling of the front extensors if I wrap this mare reasonably tight with no bows on the fronts and leave her overnight. I have done it several times. I don't have the same problem on the rear legs though. I have felt that it was the way that the bandage moved around the ankle or the torque put on the leg because of slippage. This is just my personal experience. Please take it with the grain that it is meant. I wrap everyday so I do know how <g>.
k
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