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  Discussion on Swollen knee after recovered hairline knee fracture.
Author Message
New Member:
Tonydi

Posted on Sunday, Oct 8, 2006 - 3:28 pm:

First let me thank Holly for pointing out to me where to find the link to start a new subject.

I own a 60 month old Paso Fino Mare that suffered a very dumb fall in training. She began to limp right away. She was put in her stable to keep her still. The Vet's x-ray discovered a hairline fracture on the outside part of the knee, that after three months of recovery and another x-ray it was gone.

But, my concern is that now, after treating her with DMSO and some shots, I guess for the pain, the swelling is still present in her left front knee.

She is eating good, has energy but will not walk on that leg until after a I rub her with Bengay and some other things and wrap it.

The swelling is around the entire knew and on the inside (it won't move around).

She stands on it but will either walk slow with a limp or hop on in.

Should I have the Vet remove the fluids?
Should I continue using DMSO and wrap it?

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thankfully
T. Diaz
New Member:
Bruner

Posted on Sunday, Oct 8, 2006 - 4:46 pm:

Hi tony,
I do a significant amount of work on rehabilitation of horses from injuries. you may want to try acupuncture to relieve the fluids. I have had good success with that and also with the laser light therapy. If there is a limp then there must still be pain. I find the joint damage often is more from the fluids and swelling long term that the initial injury. HAve you talked with your vet about the continued pain in her limb? I am not a vet, but work with a number of vets as a therapist doing long term care. It can be a slow process but don't give up. Good luck
d. bruner
New Member:
Bruner

Posted on Sunday, Oct 8, 2006 - 4:50 pm:

one other point. I would use a different topical that bengay. There is a great product i like to use called Equi Block D. T. Effective and not so harsh on a horses sensitive skin.
d. bruner
New Member:
Tonydi

Posted on Sunday, Oct 8, 2006 - 8:28 pm:

Hi Debra,

Thanks, but I don't think the Vets here are that well prepared. My vet has no clue why the swelling. Is there anything, old fashioned and outdated, like my vet, that I could do.

What is the laser light therapy?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Oct 9, 2006 - 10:28 am:

Welcome Tony,
Draining and wrapping may be the best solution but the problem is that we don't know exactly what is wrong with your mare so any specific advice has a poor foundation. Your first step is to better define what exactly is swollen and where the pain is coming from. The swelling and lameness could be intra or extra-articular and the different causes of swelling and lameness here will have different treatments and outcomes.

Check out the article on different causes of lameness on the knee at Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Upper Front Limb » Overview of Lameness of the Knee (Carpus). Be sure to use the link to study the anatomy of the knee and pay particular attention to the section on the various causes of "hygroma" which is a major rule out if the swellings is extra-articular. With a better understanding of the anatomy and possibilities perhaps you could discuss with your veterinarian what is and is not known about your horse's knee and how to better define the problem, then you can design an effective treatment program.

I do not think these type conditions would be responsive to either acupuncture or laser lights.
DrO
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