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  Discussion on Subluxated SDFT Off The Point Of The Hock
Author Message
Member:
3wishes

Posted on Saturday, Oct 20, 2007 - 11:08 am:

Dear Dr. O,
About 2 months ago I found my 23 year old gelding standing very still in the pasture with a severely swollen right hock. When I tried to lead him into the barn to cold hose and investigate what could have happened he become quite panicky but seemed able to walk on it. X-rays thankfully did not show a fracture. When the swelling began to come down in the following days, it was clear that he had somehow managed to tear the small ligament that holds the SDFT over the point of the hock and it was displacing laterally off the hock. This happens whenever he bears weight on that limb or walks.

When he rests that leg, it seems to find that old position. Given his age and tendency to stock up and become quite stiff/sore when completely stall bound, (he had arthritic changes in both hocks prior to this injury) the Vet and I decided to allow him limited movement in a small grassy area with access to his stall. He has always been a very laid back, calm horse and spends most of his time resting in the stall and will periodically come out to graze and move around slowly. Here he is separated from my other horses.

The swelling is greatly reduced. There is a small raised round area slightly above and medial to the point of the hock and some slight diffuse swelling where the tendon now courses down the lateral side of the hock. When he walks you can clearly see the tendon move off the tuber calcaneus. He does not limp, but he surely does take his careful time and only moves around at this time at a walk. (which I am thankful for!) My Vet discussed his case with the nearest surgical facility and they thought that he would not be a good candidate for trying to surgically correct it. That given time, the SDFT would "find a new position" and begin to lose that "play" back and forth. And that he would likely have a jerky motion in that joint due to this new position-- but he could live out his life as a pasture puff without undue pain.

So my question is..... have you ever treated a horse with this condition? And if so, how did the animal fair once the healing process was complete? I am still cold hosing him every day or putting on an icewrap. The Vet also has me using Surpass over the area. On some days I switch out the surpass for DMSO. I have never had luck wrapping a hock so I have not been keeping it bandaged, especially since he is allowed limited movement.

Also in your experience how long does an injury like this take to heal? The local Vets have never treated a horse for this first hand. They thought it would take upwards of a year.

Thank you very much for reading this long post. I appreciate any thoughts/advice you may have.

-April
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 - 11:14 am:

Hello April,
Unfortunately this is not that rare a problem and permanent, though variable in intensity, lameness often the result. The two cases I have seen were treated conservatively (no surgery) and never did better than pasture sound.

To read more about diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis see the SDFT Luxation subtopic in the article Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Upper Rear Limb » Overview of Diseases of the Hock (Tarsus).
DrO
Member:
3wishes

Posted on Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 - 8:18 pm:

Dear Dr O,
Thank you for your reply. I will definitely read the link you provided. I am at ease with the prognosis of him just being pasture sound.
Kindest regards,
April
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