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  Discussion on Deep Digitel Flexer Tendons
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New Member:
keena

Posted on Monday, Jan 18, 2010 - 12:58 pm:

Dear Dr.

On Oct 4th 2009, an ultrasound revealed a edema on the DDFT, 2 year old TB in Training. She was only slightly lame when the first heat and swelling occurred. The lameness was gone in less then a week. Is there any current information on this type of injury other then the 1997 study on healing protocol in the article,Bowed Tendons: Flexor Tendinitis (Tendonitis) and Tenosynovitis of Horses by Robert N. Oglesby DVM.? On January 12,2010, a new ultrasound revealed that no damage had ever incurred in any of her tendons on that leg. I was not able to visually see the results on the first ultrasound but was able to see the results on the second ultrasound. The filly is not lame, but since the first occurrence she gets a little warmth and slight filling just above the fetlock joint. I can sweat it out and it will be good for days but just comes back. I use a Laid in Montana Emu product to keep the area cool and tight. She also likes to dig. She has been in the process of digging out a 50'tall pine tree. If the tendons are not the problem and nothing else shows in the ultrasound, what are some other possibilities for the heat and filling?

Respectfully,

Keena
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jan 18, 2010 - 5:55 pm:

Welcome Keena,
There have been dozens if not hundreds of studies done on flexor tendonitis since that time and they all continue to support this excellent work as the best strategy for healing tendons and bringing the horses back into performance. The results of the other studies are what make up the rest of the article on tendonitis.

As to what else may be causing the swelling it would depend on the location and knowing what structures under the swelling, inflammation secondary to trauma or strain are certainly frequent occurrences. If you could provide an image of the swelling we might be able to help further. Alternatively check out Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Swellings / Localized Infection / Abscesses » Diagnosing and Assessing Swellings in Horses for more on assessing both the cause and likely structures involved.
DrO
New Member:
keena

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 - 4:09 pm:

Dear Dr. O.
I have read all the material suggested. The filly is in about 3 acres by her self, next to other horses, and due to the Frozen ground and previous knowledge of Tendon injury, she has not been ridden or worked, just walked and trotted. She will, if provoked, jump around, run & play. This is still limited by small area. Previous to this injury, she stayed cold and tight through training. She was galloping 3 to 4 miles a day between rest and works. The injury happened during her 3rd gate check. I was riding her, we warmed them up with a 1/2 ml trot, 1/2 gallop and 1/2 slow breeze with 1/2 trot warm down. She was very strong and balanced. We did a 5/8 breeze out of the gate and she felt a little off. Not lame, but not as balanced as the work before the gate. Heat and swelling the next morning, a little visible lame for 3 days and ultrasound two days later. Since this date this bit of heat and swelling comes and goes. She does not move or act lame at all. At this time I feel that their had never been a DDFT injury, but something did happen. With all I am learning, it is still a bit of a puzzle. I very much appreciate all your time with this. +++ jpeg +++ 351457 +++ +++
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 - 8:47 pm:

Keena, the history does not lead me to a firm opinion of whether this is a tendon injury vs say a traumatic injury to the skin. What do the folks who did the physical and ultrasound say?
DrO
New Member:
keena

Posted on Thursday, Jan 21, 2010 - 5:29 pm:

Hi Dr. O. The first ultrasound done in Oct. of 09 said she found an edema in the DDFT. No lesions or tares. I was told to keep the horse confined and walk her at least 5 min to 45 min a day for 4 months. My Montana vet told me to keep her in a area where she could Run and play a little. I was told to force trot her at least 30 min to an hr a day. This was advised by palpating the leg the end of October but no ultrasound. The same vet did an ultrasound the 5th of January 2010 and stated that the horse shows no signs of ever having a tendon injury. The skin has not shown signs of an infection other then a reaction to herbs mixed in emu oil. It had heat and swelling with a bit of skerfing but was cleared up in 3 days by using Nolvasan with dexamethozone mixed with it. At this time the skin is healthy, the filling is gone, but the pastern joint on this leg is a bit warmer them the other leg(top portion of the joint). It is warm, not hot. Just the warmth seems to be indicating that something is amiss. I know it is impossible to make a diagnosis without seeing the leg or more test. I am not sure what other test to take other then a xray for a bone chip. This seems unlikely due to a chip seem to have heat and swelling in the area of the chip. Thank you again for your help with this. I will try not to bug you anymore with this.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Jan 22, 2010 - 10:40 am:

That is excellent Keena and so you should continue your rehab, we recommend in a step wise manner as is in the article with approval of your vet. Once a leg has become swollen for a time it has a tendency to refill that space from time to time. I see no reason from the above information that further diagnostics be carried out.
DrO
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