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Message |
    
Janice C. Beckett
Member
Username: beckettj
Post Number: 26
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, May 3, 2007 - 4:36 pm: |   |
Dr. O:
If you don't mind, I need a "plain english" interpretation of the diagnosis I just received after the ultrasound of my horse's right hind suspensory ligament. What they say they found was "mild inhomogeniety distal lateral branch origin, body, medial branch NR"
My vet says that there is no tearing and that I can start him back into light work (walking mainly for a couple of weeks, gradually increasing work) after 4 or 5 days of just turnout in a small pasture.
Is this then the equivalent of a mild sprain? After reading all of the articles about how serious suspensory injuries can be, I want to make sure I don't overdo my work. Thank you!
Janice |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 18392
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Friday, May 4, 2007 - 1:00 pm: | |
Hello Janice,
They really have not given you diagnosis. What they have given you is a description of what was found on the ultrasound. "Inhomogeniety" means the ultrasound appearance is not consistent throughout the distal lateral branch of the the suspensory while the medial branch appeared normal. Unfortunately normally there is some amount of inhomogeniety, this can be produced artifactually, and whether it hypoechoic (darker and suggesting fluid) or hyperechoic (lighter and suggesting scar) is not stated. Neither is the fiber pattern stated which could also lead to a conclusion of lack of homogeneity. The level and locations within the suspensory branch which are deemed abnormal is also important. What you need to do is ask them what lesions, if any, do they think these changes represent. I think a important consideration is whether the lamenesss localized to this region of the leg as some abnormalities can occasionally be found in sound legs.
DrO |
