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  Discussion on Anterior collateral ligament tear
Author Message
Member:
Nonie

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 31, 2004 - 6:03 pm:

Dr. O, a good friend of mine has a mare whom her vet has described as having suffered a "tear of the anterior collateral ligament". He commented that there was a lot of "space" in it and recommended 6 months of stall rest with 1/2 g bute 2x day and said he would recheck in 3 months. He allowed hand-grazing but did not
say anything about walking. After reading the excellent exercise protocol here she is wondering if maybe 3 months is too long to wait to begin rehab? The horse also has a medial patellar ligament tightness that is sounding worse (more popping noises) with rest. The acute phase of the injury seems to be over and she is walking normally with bute on board. Any comments about complete stall rest for such a long period of time would be appreciated.

Thanks, all.

Zoe
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 1, 2004 - 6:19 am:

The protocols recommended are for nonarticular structures Zoe. Injuries to structures in the joint must be rested with greater care to minimize arthritis.
DrO
New Member:
Rebeccab

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 20, 2006 - 9:47 am:

Hi Dr. O: I am new to Horseadvice, so I will keep my question brief...I have a 14yr. old Appendix gelding that had a 4mm tear to his patellar ligament in May 05, while jumping. He was on stall rest from Nov.05-Feb.06. We started him out with light work in March. In April and May he worked regularly with some stiffness afterwards. We gave him Bute, he was fine. In June and July of this year, we were able to show with some 2ft.3" jumping, he was worked 6 days a week. He was not exercised regularly in August (only ridden 12 times, I was away). In his first lesson in Sept, doing w/t/c only, he came up lame and has been off on the right-hind stifle since. His trot is short, his head is bobbing. He does not put any weight on the leg while standing. He has difficulty lifting the leg so I may pick his hoof. What would be the signs of re-injury or tearing? What do you recommend? Can I keep him on Bute long-term? Any supplement recommendations? Thanks, Rebecca
New Member:
Rebeccab

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 20, 2006 - 11:29 am:

Just some clarification to my earlier post...My horse recently came up lame, after a lesson, on the right-hind stifle, where he had the tear in the patellar ligament. He has been on Bute, since I starting working him again this past April. Therefore, during all of his post-injury working months, he has been on bute. Thanks,Rebecca
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Sep 21, 2006 - 9:22 am:

Welcome Rebecca,
Lameness and swelling would be typical. I recommend you get a good diagnosis and if it is from this stifle a characterization of the lesion by ultrasound. Only then can accurate treatment (including bute and supplement) and prognosis be made. For more on these subjects see:
  • Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Localizing Lameness in the Horse
  • Treatments and Medications for Horses » Anti-inflammatories (NSAID's, Steroids, Arthritis Rx) » Phenylbutazone (Bute)
Until you get a diagnosis see Diseases of Horses » Lameness » First Aid for the Lame Horse for first aid.
DrO
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