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  Discussion on Fibrotic myopathy
Author Message
New Member:
Helen123

Posted on Saturday, Apr 16, 2005 - 7:36 am:

I wanted to share my experience with fibrotic myopathy, having searched the web myself to find out more information. My mare developed severe fibrotic myopathy of the left hindquarter (probably from trauma after backing into a fence, but don't know for sure). Started after the hurricanes in Florida. As the months progressed it seemed to progressively worsen. Major contraction of the muscles and indentation of the hindquarter. The vets at the University of Florida stated it was the most severe case they had seen. Almost 2 feet of fibrotic muscle tissue. Last week she underwent transection of semitendinosus tendon. (Massage and stretching exercises didn't seem to help, and at times seemed to make it worse.) The surgery itself was only about 15 minutes and I could take her home the same day. It's been a week now since the surgery. Instructions post surgery are: stall rest and hand walking 20-25 minutes for the first 2 weeks, then return to the normal routine. Improvement should be noted in the first 3-7 days following surgery with final results after 4 to 8 weeks. Fortuanately, no complications thus far (only slight swelling), and some (slight to moderate) decrease in the severity of the goose stepping. I'm hoping that she will improve further, while I try to accept her physical limitations. Need to remember that the condition is not painful for the horse, but a mechanical lameness. We can still enjoy pleasure riding and playing together. Any further advice or knowledge about this condition would be welcome. Wishing you all the best. Helen
New Member:
Wgillmor

Posted on Saturday, Apr 16, 2005 - 9:56 am:

I had the same operation on my TB gelding at Colorado State University yesterday. No doubt Atom's condition was not nearly as severe as your mare's, although he was bad enough that I was able to diagnose it before his vet saw him. He was obvious enough that the Vet school took a video to use in teaching.

So far, my experience is similar to yours (although it is one day, not one week post-surgery) except that my instructions are immediate turn out and to put him back to light use. He was turned out yesterday when I got him back from the hospital. In addition, I am to stretch the tendon for a 5 second interval, five times at least once a day and before and after working him. More is better. I'm recruiting friends with the goal of getting it stretched three times a day.

His surgeon also recommends pole work and other activities that will cause him to stretch the tendon.

I did notice an immediate improvement in his gait; it is not perfect but I'm hopeful. Since we have significantly different postoperative instructions, I'll post further updates here; I hope you will do the same.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Apr 17, 2005 - 8:34 am:

I find Helen's description a little worrysome, that she has not seen more improvment. Helen did they find no involvement of the semimembrinosous muscle?
DrO
New Member:
Helen123

Posted on Monday, Apr 18, 2005 - 8:32 am:

DrO and Wiley, thanks for responding.

The ultrasound findings were: an approximately 40 cm fibrotic area confined within the semitendinosus muscle. Also, there was a small pocket of hypoechoic fluid 4x6 cm consistent with a seroma and a 1 cm oject that cast a shadow, consistent with calcification within the muscle. The scarring of the semitendinosus muscle is very severe.

It's day 11 now. The incision site appears puffier and more swollen. Will call the vet today. On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the worse and pre-surgical lameness, different observations rate improvement at an 8 to 6.

Also of note, when Brandy walks, she drags her hind hooves, the left, of course, more than the right. Am wondering about her back and sciatic nerve. Maybe if she received acupuncture treatment for her back, that might help the stretching and healing process of the hamstring?

Brandy is a healthy, beautiful 15 year old, dark bay appendix and grand-daughter of Secretariat. She has had, however, some other lameness problems, including: History of a fractured and removed splint bone on the same left leg (several years ago and before I bought her in May of 2003). Long toe, low heel synDrOme and problems with the right front that improved drastically with a change in shoeing, as well as diagnosed left hock arthritis. (The poor left leg).

Brandy and I have struggled with various issues concerning her limbs now for a couple of years, as well as trailering problems (another long story) that contributed to some injuries. I only want what is best for her. (We did finally conquer trailering with Parelli natural horsemanship and I'm amazed at the training and results. An incredible and exciting journey that is.)

I could go on and on. At times I find myself throwing up my hands, not knowing if what I do to help makes things worse or better. Fibrotic myopathy is such an insidious condition. Whatever advice or knowledge you can share is again very welcome. Thanks, Helen
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2005 - 7:30 am:

At this point Helen you should be following the recommendations of your surgeons. It does sound like there is still some restrictive tissue present and I would relay this to the surgeons they may want a second go at this now. I don't see anyway acupuncture would contribute to the healing.
DrO
New Member:
Wgillmor

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2005 - 8:44 am:

Helen,

I'm a little reluctant to be posting since Atom's recovery is going so well in contrast to Brandy's and I don't want to sound smug.

The slapping when walking has disappeared except when walking down a grade. Even this has been improving each time I stretch his tendon. I'm hopeful that it will be gone today. And this is only four days postoperative.

No doubt this is due to Atom's much less severe case.

There is still some puffiness and drainage at the incision site -- the drainage seems to be increased by the stretching. My local vet put him on a course of antibiotics to be safe.

Brandy sounds like a great mare and I admire your sticking with her through all her problems. I hope you see the same kind of improvement I have with Atom.

Wiley
New Member:
Helen123

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 20, 2005 - 8:43 pm:

Wiley,
That's great Atom is doing so well. Hopefully the slapping will completely disappear.
Only 2 more days until Brandy can be turned out again. Today, I can actually say for the first time, there is a noticeable improvement in her gait. Maybe a definite 5-6 on the 1-10 scale. I know it will never be 100%, am grateful for today. Vet says final results in about a month. Hopefully after 2 more weeks I can report more positive results.
Best wishes, Helen
New Member:
Helen123

Posted on Saturday, Apr 30, 2005 - 9:03 am:

Wanted to give an update on Brandy.
Consulted with another vet yesterday about Brandy's status and outlook. It appears her injury was neurogenic, causing the slow, insidious loss of muscle over time. The tenotomy did help some, but also note some regression in the past few days. The vet recommended only walking for now to prevent compensational injuries or strains from arising. He suggested that if the surgery did help some, it's possible that another tenotomy in a few months may eventually improve the gait more, indicating that it may take several surgeries to make a substantial difference.
So that's the story. I'll try to keep her happy and engaged on the ground for now. Do you have any other suggestions? Thanks, Helen
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Apr 30, 2005 - 6:05 pm:

While neurogenic muscle atrophy occurs, it is not accompanied with fibrosis: the muscle just grows weaker which does not result in the characteristic foot slapping gait. However he is right about a second surgery may further improve gait.
DrO
New Member:
Helen123

Posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 - 8:37 pm:

(guest) This is a good friend of Helen. I have been riding Brandy bare-back. (I rode her before all this stared) she is doing well. But she is still walking weird.

Ross
Member:
Helen123

Posted on Friday, May 20, 2005 - 9:29 pm:

Brandy is doing lot better i troted her for the first time today
New Member:
readjoe

Posted on Monday, Jan 21, 2008 - 9:06 pm:

I recently joined horse advice, and read your discussion. How are your horses now? Do you consider your horses sound? I am considering the surgery, but would like to know more.

Thanks,
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