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  Discussion on Severed Tendon
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Member:
Mszoey

Posted on Monday, Jul 12, 2004 - 3:50 pm:

I have a 4 month old colt that was tied up to a trailer by a young daughter of mine that thought she was being helpful in bathing this youngster. they were both alone without my permission, needless to say the colt had a terrible-horrible experience(so did the daughter) he thrashed himself into the trailer, and got his leg between the tire and wheelwell, he has trauma to his leg from the stifle down, severed the tendon that runs straight up the cannon bone, up above the midline point of the cannon bone, the laceration runs horizontal the width of the cannon bone, there is also a laceration to the area just above the fetlock joint, but did not cut into the tendon. This leg stalked up something horrible, it looked like it would burst. It did open around the inside of the hock and drained an incredible amount of infection. I have been doing hyrdo theraby and scarlet oil, along with Tribression each day. The leg is looking pretty good, it has nearly stopped draining after a week-10 days(happened 2 weeks ago) my concern is this Tendon that is severed. We are very remote and Equine Vets. are few and far between. Our local vet said the tendon could not be repaired to give it time and see how mother nature takes care of the injuries. I called another vet to see what his thoughts were. He stated that there are several tendons and this particular tendon could be compensated by the other surrounding tendons, to keep up the hyDrO therapy, Scarlet oil and antibiotic. What are the uses of the different tendons in the lower area of the hind leg and can the other tendons compensate for the severing of this tendon? Thank you!!
Member:
Presario

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 13, 2004 - 11:14 am:

Hi Sherri - how awful for you and that little guy!! Are you wrapping it at all, putting any sort of topical medication on it? The tendon on the front of the cannon bone is the long extensor tendon that runs from just above the hock to the foot. There is another smaller extensor tendon that runs along the outside of the leg. These tendons (mostly the front one) are responsible for flipping the foot up as the leg is moved foward. The lateral one can help flip the foot up. It's not a weight-bearing tendon, so much better to sever this one instead of the flexor tendon. And the long extensor CAN put itself back together - my horse's leg shows full connectivity under ultrasound.

How do I know this? My now-6yo WB severed his long extensor tendon 15 months ago. I have a thread here - the url is https://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/4/16317.html?1074785205 but I can't get it to come up - hopefully you can! I actually need to go post an update to that. But to summarize - my guy is back to work and has just started jumping again. So, don't panic yet about your little guy!
Member:
Mszoey

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 13, 2004 - 12:15 pm:

Hi Jordana, I was unable to open your thread that you referred me to, dang., would like to see what the post has to say.

anyways, the leg cannot be wrapped at this point, there is to many open draining areas to wrap, it needs to rid of alot of infection. I am doing hyDrO therapy thru the day and spraying scarlet oil on all of the open areas, using oral antibiotics. He is coming along nicely considering. The open areas are nearly done draining and have a nice color to them.

It is encouraging info coming from someone else who has had a similar injury to this particular tendon. I do not know how this tendon could possibly grow back together - it is seperated completely - approx. 3 inches. I would enclose photos, but I am afraid it would be devastating to different people who are not used to seeing critical injuries.

I greatly appreciate your input
Member:
Presario

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 13, 2004 - 12:58 pm:

i will try the link again - it is a link to my thread that I started when Rio did that. It is complete with pictures. I hope you will post your pictures - I doubt they can be any worse than some I've seen here!
Member:
Belhaven

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 13, 2004 - 1:03 pm:

The link worked for me-maybe I can help you get there....

On the side of your screen click on EQUINE DISEASES
Then Click on LAMENESS
Then Rehabilitating INjuries to the Tendons and Ligaments
Then Discussion on Severed Extensor Tendon

I do hope Dr O pipes in soon or PLEASE at least call a vet or clinic-the risk of infection I would think is high leaving it open...I should think it needs to be cleaned and have a sterile wrap somehow but won't begin to offer advice.

Please keep us posted!
Member:
Canter

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 13, 2004 - 1:25 pm:

Sherri,
Please post your pictures. There have been many graphic and devastating pictures posted on this site, but that is the best way members (and DrO)can evaluate the situation and give relevant advice. For those of us who can't offer advice, we learn a great deal from the info.

Good luck with your colt!
Member:
Mszoey

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 13, 2004 - 3:11 pm:

Leah, thank you for trying to direct me to Jordana's thread, but I have been that route and I get a blank page.

As far as covering these types of wounds, I never have and never will. My defense is answered under Skin Diseases - Long Term Deep Wound Care.

I have several horses, I breed, raise and show, I have for several years. I have always left wounds that could not be stitched, open, hosed with cold water daily, Nolvasan, Furazone or Scarlet Oil, along with oral antibotics and kept in our 16 x 16 stalls away from the flies and outside environment. I have had some horrindous injuries and with the routine I follow you would never none that the horse had an injury.

With this colt my concern is the tendon and the use of his foot, I have never had a severed tendon.

I will take photos and attach this evening, I apologize, I was not thinking on the learning aspect.

thanks to all of you
Member:
Mszoey

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 13, 2004 - 3:19 pm:

Leah, thank you for trying to direct me to Jordana's thread, but I have been that route and I get a blank page.

As far as covering these types of wounds, I never have and never will. My defense is answered under Skin Diseases - Long Term Deep Wound Care.

I have several horses, I breed, raise and show, I have for several years. I have always left wounds that could not be stitched, open, hosed with cold water daily, Nolvasan, Furazone or Scarlet Oil, along with oral antibotics and kept in our 16 x 16 stalls away from the flies and outside environment. I have had some horrindous injuries and with the routine I follow you would never none that the horse had an injury.

With this colt my concern is the tendon and the use of his foot, I have never had a severed tendon.

I will take photos and attach this evening, I apologize, I was not thinking on the learning aspect.

thanks to all of you
Member:
Mszoey

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 13, 2004 - 3:58 pm:

I apologize for the double post, the system blanked out- I thought it lost the original post
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 14, 2004 - 7:46 am:

Hello Sherri,
Can you better tell me the location of the tendon? Is it on the front or back? Is it more to the inside or the outside of the leg? Also are there currently any abnormalities with the motion of that foot?
DrO
Member:
Mszoey

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 14, 2004 - 11:10 am:

Hi Dr O, I took some photos, but I have not been able to reduce them enough to attach yet.

The location is on the front of the hind leg, running straight up the front of the cannon bone. He had so much swelling that he did not use the foot anymore than what he had to, but as of yesterday he followed me nearly everywhere I went, including up a very small incline to the hydrant. He actually had abit of action in the fetlock, which he did not have or would not attempt to do before. I would like you to see the photos - I will attempt again later or if there is a email address I can send them to directly without resizing- thank you Sherri
Member:
Mszoey

Posted on Thursday, Jul 15, 2004 - 8:56 am:

Here is a photo, the upper injury on the hind leg with the two injuries, is the area where the tendon is severed. It is the distance of the dark red area that the tendon is seperated. You can just verily make out the ends of the tendons in the upper left and the bottom right of the injury. This looks much better than a week ago, thank you Sherri
Member:
Canyon28

Posted on Thursday, Jul 15, 2004 - 9:13 am:

how does the foal walk now? If he doesnt drag the leg now, I bet he will be sound on that leg,although it will probably look like hell with scars all of his life.i think if the injury had been to the back of the leg you would be in more trouble, but since it is to the front, I think he will recover and the side and back tendons and ligaments be able to compensate for the torn front tendon. Good luck, you are doing a wonderful job keeping it clean.
Member:
Dres

Posted on Thursday, Jul 15, 2004 - 9:46 am:

sherri, please keep us posted with pictures on his recovery... looks clean and healing..

poor guy..

Ann
Member:
Mszoey

Posted on Thursday, Jul 15, 2004 - 10:15 am:

He does not drag the leg, he still takes it pretty slow and only walks a few steps at a time, probably the worse is watching him lay down and get up, I keep his stall area very, very deep in straw where he lays down, he has one spot that he always rests in that I have made a 'nest" out of. Trying to keep the "bed sores" from getting to bad. I will send photos regularly and post everyone on his progress, thank you, keep him in your prayers
Member:
Pbauer

Posted on Thursday, Jul 15, 2004 - 7:08 pm:

Dear Sherri,
I'll be praying for your baby!
Sincerely,
Tonya
Member:
Presario

Posted on Friday, Jul 16, 2004 - 12:03 pm:

Sherri, try my link again - https://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/4/16317.html - it takes a good while to load because of the pictures in it. The frame will be blank for a bit, but in the lower status bar you should see indications that it's working on opening it.

Your colt's injury is worse than Rio's, overall, but with the proper care I personally don't see why it can't heal fine, and since he's so young, his scarring might even be less than Rio's.

Based on Rio's injury and all that I learned through research, my vets, and talking to others with the same injury, I think it's imperative that the leg be wrapped to mimize movement of the tendon to give it a chance to knit back together.
Member:
Mszoey

Posted on Friday, Jul 16, 2004 - 1:00 pm:

Hi Jordana, I did get your thread to open. But, I still disagree about the wrapping, he has way to much drainage going on and still has alot of infection that needs to drain. But, I am not without listening to advise or suggestions from others whom have had the same or similar injuries.

thank you
Member:
Presario

Posted on Friday, Jul 16, 2004 - 1:25 pm:

Rio's initial stages of injury had a LOT of drainage. I was changing the wrap twice a day for a while (2 weeks I think), then once a day for another few weeks, then every other day. I hope Dr O will step in and talk to us about the benefits of wrapping to support the leg since the tendon is not doing its job vs not wrapping for other reasons.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Jul 17, 2004 - 7:03 am:

Hello All,
I believe this injury can be healed with either wrapping or not. As Sherri and Jordana both allude if it is wrapped they will need to be changed frequently so this is a management decision. Unwrapped the wounds will become frequently contaminated by dirt and flies so there is a greater risk for a infection but with good wound care otherwise the risk is acceptable to most. Keeping the wounds wrapped will keep them moister and as long as the moisture is not purulent, the wound will heal quicker and with a smaller scar. I don't really see the need to support the severed extensor tendon with a bandage as I find they usually heal well with rest alone.
DrO
Member:
Presario

Posted on Saturday, Jul 17, 2004 - 9:59 pm:

So, just curious - you don't see any benefit from wrapping to minimize fetlock joint movement so that the tendon can knit itself back together better/more quickly?
Member:
Mszoey

Posted on Saturday, Jul 17, 2004 - 11:34 pm:

Dr. O, my issue never was whether to bandage/wrap or not to bandage/wrap, I just wanted to know what your thoughts were on this severed tendon, what can I expect to be seeing, or happening, I post the photo of the injury a few posts before this one, thank you Sherri
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Jul 18, 2004 - 9:23 am:

Sherri,
the photos show the extent of the skin damage well really but do not show me the extent of the tendon injuries that well. In fact the LR digital extensor tendon appears intact though badly bruised. The fact that the horse is not having problems knuckling under while walking says that enough tendon remains to keep the ankle extended for placing the foot. Assuming there is no damage we don't see and you do not have any complications this horse should come sound.

Jordana, the problem with bandaging for extensor tendon support Jordana, is that, short of casting, you really cannot prevent extension and flexion enough that will keep the ends from moving and my experience has been that casting unneccesary, they heal well without it or tight digital support bandaging.
DrO
Member:
Mszoey

Posted on Monday, Jul 19, 2004 - 10:32 am:

the upper injury of the two is where the tendon is severed. The dark red spot is darkened over the bone, there is nothing on the spot, unfortunately you cannot see the ends of the tendons in this photo, but my vet pointed out each end that was severed. But his foot does not dangle, he does not move it up and down in a flexing or using motion 'yet", but I think there is so much trama that he "isn't" using it, not that he can't - thank you for your time and info, we pray for soundness
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 20, 2004 - 9:43 am:

Definately a very painful injury, I presume you are giving him bute? Something else I would like to address is the use of Scarlet oil on a wound with exposed bone. I do not use this product at all do to its tissue toxic properties, particualrly the alcohols, voltile oils and salicylate. The bottle should read that it is for superfical wounds and caution against use in deep wounds. I think you find the wound would stay much less inflammed and heal better with one of the treatments we describe in our article on wound care see Equine Diseases » Skin Diseases » Wounds: First Aid Care.
DrO
Member:
Mszoey

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 20, 2004 - 10:57 am:

I have used some bute, I was abit concerned about ulcerating his stomach, he does not eat alot, but does have a good appetite. I was giving him Ascriptin, aspirin coated in Maolox. I stopped due to the same reasoning with the bute. He is maintaining a light weight, cannot see ribs or any bone, just abit greyhound like. I did read that scarlet Oil and cut-n-heal were for superficial wounds not deep wounds, "but" I have had 3 different vets tell me it would keep the proudflesh from building up and it would keep the flies away, which it does. This may sound odd, but I put ointments on myself or a sore to see if it burns, or how meds. might taste so I know what the horse is going thru. Scarlet Oil does not burn, nor does Cut-N-Heal. If I use Novasan(sp) or Furazon (sp)without wrap, he wipes it off, he licks these injuries and keeps them pretty clean, like a dog would. I will take some more photos, the injuries are coming along, there will be a nice scar I am sure, but if we get a colt walking again I will be ever so grateful.
Member:
Mszoey

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 21, 2004 - 12:27 am:

Dr. O, since my last post, I have given the colt 1 gram of bute, ran down some Furazone (sp) spray. I came back to the colt approx 3-4 hours after I gave him the bute, he was a very comfortable colt, or as comfortable as he could be considering. He naturally ate better, walked all the way down my aisle way without stopping once, he usually stops 5 or 6 times for at least 30 secs. I guess my thoughts are, can he hurt himself by feeling better than what his injuries are able to take?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 21, 2004 - 6:46 am:

With Scarlet oil being a large percentage of alcohol and containing salcylate, I can only speculate you have put this on the most superficial of wounds on yourself. Alcohol burns on open wounds. But pain is a different issue than tissue toxic, which is my main concern: it kills healthy tissue slowing wound healing. That is how it prevents proud flesh by burning back the forming cappilaries.

The bute is not just pain relief Sherri, it is antiinflammatory. By controlling some of the products of inflammation and swelling the wound can begin to heal quicker.

How much exercise can be allowed depends on the nature of the wounds so what ever your vet says here you should follow: you control how much exercise the horse gets. I don't think a comfortable walk to the wash stall is likely to be much more exercise than a painful walk in terms of work done.
DrO
Member:
Mszoey

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 21, 2004 - 10:53 am:

what would you suggest on the daily doseage on the bute, just the one gram once a day or twice aday? In terms of days, how long should I give the bute?
Outside of the Scarlet Oil or Cut-N-Heal slowing the healing, is it bad in anyother way? these wounds look very good using these products and I have had others that have done very well with these products. I like these for the fact that I have little or no scarring and the flies do not get on the wound. The furazone spray is convenient, but it does not keep the flies away.
There is still some swelling around the hock area, I know there is infection in there as there was in all of the rest of the leg, I keep waiting for it to bust out or start draining, will the bute hopefully help in this regard? Should I use any compresses as far as hot or cold to help get the swelling down?
I have used Nolvason creme under light bandages in the past, it seems very soothing and very healing. Do to the harshness of the Scarlet Oil, and the flies getting on the wounds with the furazone spray, I am thinking maybe daily bandaging might be the route, what are your thoughts in this regard?
And I am still giving him the Tribressin, it has been nearly 3 weeks now, I was told there is no limit as to how long you can give this oral antibiotic, is this so? Sorry this was so lengthy, I just want to do all I can for this colt.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 21, 2004 - 12:23 pm:

For recommendations on bute dosage and so you can learn the things you should know to use this medication see, Equine Medications and Nutriceuticals » Anti-inflammatories: NSAID's, Steroids, and Arthritis Treatment » Phenylbutazone (Bute). You will also find some information on the use of Tribrissen at, Equine Medications and Nutriceuticals » Antibiotics and Antimicrobials » Trimethoprim -Sulfa.

I thought the wound looked a bit "light pink" as though it had lost vascularity and did not see evidence that the wound had begun granulating. Will you be able to get these wounds healed with what you are doing(?): probably. But will it be slower and less cosmetic than if you used a system that was easier on the tissues(?): for sure.

Usually open wounds of this nature do not abscess out because there is plenty of drainage. Bute, good wound care, and pressure wraps would be the best way to deal with the swelling but may intensify the irriation of the Scarlet Oil.
DrO
Member:
Mszoey

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 21, 2004 - 12:31 pm:

the area that is swollen is not open, it is up above these open injuries. I will get another photo to you, a visual is so much better than an attempt at describing. Thank you!!! I will read the discussions you referred me to.
Member:
Mszoey

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 21, 2004 - 3:59 pm:

I read your discussions on the meds., if I am understanding correctly, is it not harmful to the foal to be using bute and the Tribissen? and a person needs to be very cautious on the amount of bute used. I know the tube suggest 1 gram to 500#'s this baby is probably 300 right now and I gave him a gram.

Also, the folic acid - do I need to supplement him?

Where he is down alot, he does not eat nearly as much as he would otherwise, is there a feed source that would be more supplementary, than just grain and alfalfa/hay? So that when he does eat he gets more out of his feed source???

Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jul 22, 2004 - 6:51 pm:

There is no such thing as a harmless medication and all medications and dosages need to be approved by your vet. Even with published doses in some individuals you get unexpected reactions. You have to weigh the benefit against the risk of use.

The article on bute gives you 2 warnings that pertain to your case: lower doses than normal should be used in foals and in horses receiving trimethoprim-sulfa drugs. At 1 gram you are almost at twice the recommended dosage for a 300 lb horse. Better would be to cut it down to 1/2 the recommended dosage per lb and give it once daily and evaluate efficacy.

No you should not supplement folic acid, in fact that is exactly what you should not do. If the medication is given long term you should consider the use of folinic acid. The article on trimethoprim-sulfa drugs explains the differences and the reasons.

Hmmm a better feed...no just be sure the quality of concentrate and hay is excellent and easily available. If weight loss becomes a problem see the article on Overview of Nutrition and the section on difficult keepers.
DrO
Member:
Mszoey

Posted on Friday, Jul 23, 2004 - 2:00 am:

Thank you for all of your advice and directives. I have learned alot out of this lesson, changed my ways on several issues.
The colt is really coming along nicely just in the last two days. I had already cut the bute in half, I was careless on the doseage the first time, a gram seems like so little.., let alone a half..,
The furazone spray is great, the injuries are smoothing out, nice dark red color, getting gray around the edges instead of rolled. The tendon injurie looks abit ugly, but healthy..,
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Jul 24, 2004 - 9:40 am:

Delighted to hear it Sherri. If I understand what you mean, I am afraid the greyness may be the result of tissue death Sherri but in time this will recover. I am most worried about that fragile strip of skin across the wound. Perserving that strip makes getting this wound healed up much easier.
DrO
Member:
Mszoey

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 25, 2004 - 4:37 pm:

it has been a slow process but this colt has started to lope, he does not have full mobility of this leg, the open wounds look great, but his hock area is still pretty large. I was able to haul the colt 2 weeks ago. I wanted radiographs done, the vet said no need, and did not take any. (to my disappointment) if he had a bone chip or crack he would not get along like he did. So he had me do pressure wraps to see how the enlargement of the hock would do. There may be some change but minimal. I will send a photo of the hock for opinions
Member:
Mszoey

Posted on Friday, Nov 5, 2004 - 10:45 am:

Update on this colt, he is doing really well, he lopes, plays like any other colt, he does have some foundering - I am sure it was due to the fevers he had. The bad portion of the hooves has nearly grown out. He never was lame during his recooperation time,-- with the looks of his hooves it surprises me. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and advice.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Nov 7, 2004 - 12:40 pm:

Super Shari, could we have a photo?
DrO
Member:
Mszoey

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 - 3:38 pm:

I will try and download some photos, I tried to send others during this ordeal, could not get my sizing small enough, (new camera), I got the one on..,, I will see if I can get some photos of his feet, leg, himself etc.,, thank you Sherri
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