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Discussion on Fractured splint bone
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Member:
besis111
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Posted on Saturday, Oct 29, 2011 - 12:31 am:
Hi, Dr. O. I've read your article on splint injuries. My horse was diagnosed with a fractured splint bone on the outside hind leg 5 weeks ago and has been on stall rest since. His injury happened about a month before that, but because he wasn't lame, I continued to ride and turn him out. After I noticed the popped splint, and started thinking he didn't feel quite himself, I had him x-rayed to rule out a fracture. Unfortunately, it was in fact fractured--about half way down the splint bone. Our equine hospital evaluated the pictures and said that the bones were not displaced and that surgery was not needed. He was x-rayed again a week ago by my local vet. She said that the bones are healing, but not completely, and that he needed another 4 or 5 weeks of stall rest. My question is, does the bone need to be completely fused back together before started back in work? Your article says 6 weeks of stall rest. I don't want to rush it, but if he's not lame, how do I know when it's safe to slowly allow him to be turned out and brought back into work. Thanks for any advice you can offer.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Oct 30, 2011 - 11:19 am:
Hello Amy
Bringing back a splint injury can be a hard call because they will be sound before they are ready to put work on it. I would wait until there is radiographic evidence of a healed fracture line but sometimes a little shadow of crack remains where there is softer cartilaginous healing that may persist for some time. If the radiographs quit improving, the splint has stabilized in size, and there is no heat or pain, exercise can be considered at that time.
DrO
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Member:
besis111
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Posted on Sunday, Oct 30, 2011 - 7:00 pm:
Thanks... that makes sense. Do you think quiet turn-out is ok.... or is it better for him to remain in his stall? I've been grazing him, walking him a little, and turning him out for short periods of time occasionally when I feel like he's in a quiet mood. My horse is generally very laid back/quiet (as long as he has grass or hay). Thanks so much!
-Amy
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 2, 2011 - 3:46 pm:
Amy specific treatment for your horse is best given by those that can examine the horse. A horse walking around on a stable splint is OK, running around would not be until completely healed. I am uncertain what where your horse is on the scale of healing and what keeps him from running around during these turn out periods.
DrO
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Member:
besis111
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 2, 2011 - 7:03 pm:
Hi, Dr. O. Thanks for the response. I was told that the bones were not displaced (does that constitute stable?). The vet at the equine hospital said quiet turnout would be ok. But of course there's no guarantee (with any horse) that something won't set them off while turned out -- even in a small paddock by themselves. So perhaps the answer is that free turn-out is not 100% safe. Is hand walking for 10-15 minutes good or bad at a 5-6 week point in the stall rest process? I don't want to do more damage than good by keeping him immobile. I understand that you're giving me general advice based on you experience, and can't give a definitive answer without seeing my horse and his x-rays. I'm just interested in your thoughts in general for a horse healing from an uncomplicated splint fracture. Thanks!
Amy
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 5, 2011 - 9:16 am:
Hello Amy,
My general comments are in the article and address your question (see your first post and my reply). Specific recommendations for your horse need to done by someone who has examined your horse.
DrO
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Member:
besis111
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 6, 2011 - 11:37 am:
Dr. O, I believe that asking if a horse with a healing, uncomplicated splint fracture would benefit from daily hand walking is a fair question. Obviously, every situation is unique, but a general response to a question which I'm sure others have as well, would be appreciated. I understand that there is probably no 'right' answer, and that different vets will have different opinions as to the level of inactivity most conducive for healing while limiting other resulting issues. But I was interested in YOUR personal opinion in a general sense. Thank you.
Amy
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Member:
gramsey1
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Posted on Monday, Nov 7, 2011 - 9:34 am:
If the radiographs quit improving, the splint has stabilized in size, and there is no heat or pain, exercise can be considered at that time.
Amy, I cut this out of one of the Doc's previous replies. I think by stabilized he meant in size.
We have a horse in similar condition and I followed this thread with interest. The bump grew even though the horse was not lame. We did hand walk during his stall rest.
We turned him out Saturday for the first time in six weeks.
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Member:
besis111
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Posted on Monday, Nov 7, 2011 - 10:14 am:
Thanks, Guy! I appreciate you response. I'm interested... was your horse's fracture from a kick or other trauma? Did you rest him immediately after? I'm afraid I might have done some extra damage by continuing to work him for about a month and a half after the injury (because he wasn't lame). Yes - to me, a certain degree of hand walking during recovery makes sense. It keeps them from going completely stir crazy and keeps some degree of muscle tone. Another question, when you say the radiographs quit improving, how many did you have done to know that they'd stopped improving? Please keep me posted as to your horse's progress. It's been almost 7 weeks since I've ridden, and 6 weeks of stall rest. Don't want to push the issue, but I don't want him off work for longer than necessary. His bump has been the same size for at least 3 weeks now. Thanks, again.
Amy
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 9, 2011 - 1:40 pm:
Hello Amy,
I don't think your question in unfair, the point was I had already answered the question several times. I apologize for any misunderstanding.
DrO
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Member:
besis111
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 9, 2011 - 2:13 pm:
DrO, I don't see where you answered the question: "Is hand walking for 10-15 minutes good or bad at a 5-6 week point in the stall rest process? I don't want to do more damage than good by keeping him immobile." Sorry if I missed that in the article and sorry to trouble you with a redundant question.
Amy
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Member:
gramsey1
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 9, 2011 - 3:13 pm:
Our boy's injury is on the inside hind. He must have kicked himself in one of his higher Throughbred moments. As he is a 2002 foal we don't think is was exercise induced.
He never acted lame in the ring. One of his handlers told me he limped sometimes on the way in from turnout.
We put him on stall rest for a couple of weeks the bump was on and off hot, but did not change in size. We were debating going back into training.
I ask for the x-ray (trainer and one other vet thought we were wasting money).
After this view, we all decided another month, a steroid injection, and a slow start back. We hand walked him during this time just to help him keep his wits.
One day my daughter walked up to his stall. He was so bored that he was splashing water up his nose with is tongue, playing in his water bucket.
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Member:
besis111
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 9, 2011 - 3:41 pm:
Thanks! Oh, wow. Super cool to see the x-ray... my vet doesn't have a digital x-ray machine, so I haven't seen my horse's at all yet. The bump here looks huge! I wonder if Ross's would look like that on the x-ray--it's very small from exterior of his leg (although started off pretty big).
Yes, I'm sure my trainer thought the x-ray was unneeded, too. And my vet, as well. She said she wouldn't have suspected a fracture based on the exam. Funny how we owners have a sense when something is wrong! Well I'm happy your horse is starting back.. must be nice for both of you! I've got about 2 more weeks to make a total of 8 weeks. I think I'll continue to hand walk a bit... I've been teaching him some 'tricks' (like to walk next to me and put his head down when we stop to get a treat). Not much of a trick, but hard for my horse because he's a PIG! 
Good luck, and keep us posted.
Amy
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