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  Discussion on Radial nerve paralysis
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Member:
Ribbons

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 27, 2006 - 7:45 pm:

My beloved 12yr old TB mare apparently received a "well placed" kick to upper right leg sometime Friday night or Saturday morning. When I went to bring her in, she was unable to walk at all. Called the vet and when he came out we managed to get her into the barn with her hopping and then dragging the affected leg. Luckily she was only a few steps away from that barn.It was truly a pitiful sight. He gave her a banamine shot and dexamethazone packets for her feed to help with swelling. He suspected she had radial nerve paralysis as when he flexed and manipulated the leg she showed little sign of pain and will rest weight on it. He said he would check back on monday.By Monday she was no better and he x-rayed her-no sign of fracture. He also ultra- sounded the leg said there was a "lot of fluid in the muscle" which might indicate a tear. As the swelling was quite significant, I suspect that it will have to go down before a good assessment can be made. He left us with more dex and said to give her aspirin for pain as we know she does not tolerate bute. At present she can move around very, very slowly. Right out of the stall she swings the leg around to walk/hop. Once she gets a going a bit more, she looks like she can move it properly a little. She is on stall rest and we have only been taking her out to cold hose the swelling and to let her graze a bit. She moves best after she had been grazing for a few minutes. "Muscle memory" maybe? In her excitement to see grass, perhaps she is proving the dressage theory that a horse must be moving forward before it can achieve balance? (My half hearted attempt at some humour to stave off a torrent of tears.)My daughter is off to college this fall and it was finally going to be MY time I to ride the "good horse."

The vet will be back tomorrow afternoon to check on her. I just wanted to know if any one has had any similar experiences and what type of recovery did their horse make. I read the article on diagnosing neurological problems and found a reference to radial nerve paralysis, but no information on treatment or prognosis. I think the difficulty will be in trying to balance out the need to have her moving for the nerve damage and the need to keep her movement limited to allow the tear to heal. Two years ago she spent nine month on a controlled exercise regimen for suspensory desimitis. She made a full recovery. Anyway, I just hoping for some input and maybe suggestions as to what questions I should ask the vet in the morning. She has no fever, eats and eliminates normally.
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 27, 2006 - 8:43 pm:

Oh, Teresa, I'm so sorry. Hopefully, there isn't a tear. I've not had any experience with this. The closest I've come is a youngster that kicked a pipe panel. I thought he'd broken his leg, but luckily, it was temporary nerve damage and he recovered in just a few days. Kind of like a "stinger" or when you bang a "funny bone" only more prolonged, I guess.

Maybe someone else has had a similar experience and can give you some ideas, and of course you'll know a lot more when the swelling goes down and the vet can examine it more throughly. Best of luck.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 28, 2006 - 7:22 am:

Teresa, it sounds like you are doing all that can be done: rest and antiinflammatory therapy. There is not much solid information the vet can provide so it is a waiting game while the nerve recovers. But take heart most horses with this injury recover completely it just takes time (days with mild injury months with severe injuries) and rest is an important component of improving the prognosis of such nerve injuries.
DrO
Member:
Ribbons

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 28, 2006 - 8:00 pm:

Dr. O, Thanks for your always prompt post. She was 4/5 on the lameness scale when they vet came out today and I never thought I would be pleased to have a horse with that score. Time, I can give her so I'll wait....

Sara, I am so glad your youngster made a full recovery and I appreciate you sharing your experience. I love the support one can find on this sight!
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