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Sabrina Miller
New Member
Username: Slmslm1
Post Number: 1
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 15, 2004 - 9:31 am: |   |
I had a mare sever her a ligament on her back leg. The ligament could not be stitched due to an 1" gap from one end to the other. Has anyone had any experience with this type of injury & are there any new procedures available to repair such damage? |
Jordana Meisner
Member
Username: Presario
Post Number: 560
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 15, 2004 - 11:39 am: | |
Which ligament? Is it a ligament or tendon? |
Sabrina Miller
Member
Username: Slmslm1
Post Number: 2
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 15, 2004 - 4:18 pm: | |
It is actually the common digital extensor tendon & it is cut below the lateral. |
Jordana Meisner
Member
Username: Presario
Post Number: 562
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 16, 2004 - 11:48 am: | |
Do a search for "severed long extensor tendon" and you'll find my thread on that from April of last year. I gave that link to another poster who just had her 4 month old sever his extensor tendon, but she wasn't able to see it - hopefully you can. The tendon will knit back together with scar tissue as long as you can keep it somewhat immobilized, ie wrapped down around the fetlock to minimize movement. My guy has just started back to jumping again if that makes you feel any better  |
Jordana Meisner
Member
Username: Presario
Post Number: 565
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 16, 2004 - 12:04 pm: | |
Here's the link to my thread http://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/4/16317.html
Depending on your connection speed it might take a bit to open as there are quite a few pictures but give it a chance. |
Sabrina Miller
Member
Username: Slmslm1
Post Number: 3
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 16, 2004 - 1:10 pm: | |
Thanks for the info. I will check it out. We run WPRA & the vets don't believe she'll return to that level of competion. Time will tell us I guess. How long was the recovery time for your horse. We are looking at 90 days stall rest. She's imobilized at this time.
Thanks for your input.
Sabrina |
Jordana Meisner
Member
Username: Presario
Post Number: 567
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 16, 2004 - 1:28 pm: | |
Rio was on stall rest for about 4 months, then stall and small (!) paddock for 3 months. Then he transitioned to all day turnout in a 1-acre-ish paddock with a buddy, stalled at night, then to all day turnout in that paddock. I was given the green light to start working him again in late Jan (could have had it sooner, probably). I'm not familiar with WPRA - what is that? Reining? All vets who've seen Rio's in jury say there should be no problem with him doing 3' hunters, if that helps you any. |
Sabrina Miller
Member
Username: Slmslm1
Post Number: 4
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 16, 2004 - 2:11 pm: | |
We run barrels at Pro rodeo. Pretty tough competition. It's believed that she can go back to this type of activity but they don't expect her to be at the level that she once was. She seems to be taking this all very well so far. Stands with her foot level, eating & an easy patient to work with. We pick her up from the vet clinic on monday. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 10789
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Saturday, Jul 17, 2004 - 6:45 am: | |
Hello Sabrina,
I disagree with the prognosis, I think she has a good chance of returning to her former level if the tendon is given plenty of time to heal.
DrO |
Sabrina Miller
Member
Username: Slmslm1
Post Number: 5
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Jul 19, 2004 - 10:57 am: | |
Good news this morning, I spoke with my vet & he said that she filling in very quickly...I think he's even suprised. I guess it's looking pretty good. He wants to keep her a couple more days & then he said that there is an implant that he can put in there. He has used this before with success but not on a horse that has been injured to her degree. Anyway, he's happy with the way things are going. He still won't say she'll be 100 % but I think things are looking up. She is taking to the stall rest very well so she's not stressing herself. She was in top physical condition at the time of injury & maybe that's why she's doing so well. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 10829
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jul 20, 2004 - 9:56 am: | |
HunH? Sabrina, severed extensor tendons tend to heal on there own just fine and without the need of a implant. In fact unless the horse is having problems keeping the toe extended I don't splint and bandage just for wound protection and swelling. Is there something I am missing here?
DrO
|
Sabrina Miller
Member
Username: Slmslm1
Post Number: 6
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jul 20, 2004 - 4:23 pm: | |
I visited with my vet this afternoon & what he wants to do is when the ends get close enough together he wants to insert this implant to help the end grow together. He said that these implants are designed for human ligament repair & the horse will sluff them off in 5 days. His thinking, I believe is to give it a cleaner, straigher path. Since we have such a gap between the two ends. He feels this will give her a better chance at recovery. Have you heard of doing this before? He had done this proceedure before & said that he had success.
Sabrina |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 10833
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jul 21, 2004 - 6:24 am: | |
Not for extensor tendons Sabrina. I have had success with at least half a dozen extensor tendon lacerations with more conservative therapy and cannot remember any that did not return to full soundness, but it does take time.
DrO |
Sherri Dannenberg
Member
Username: Mszoey
Post Number: 53
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jul 21, 2004 - 11:04 am: | |
hi Sabrina, I am the one that has the 4 month old colt that severed his extensor tendon, do you have photos of your horse's injury? There are photos enclosed with my thread.
You give me encouragement, just reading your posts..., |
Sabrina Miller
Member
Username: Slmslm1
Post Number: 7
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jul 21, 2004 - 2:52 pm: | |
I don't have any photos at this time. My mare is still at the vet clinic & I have not seen her unbandaged since the night that it happened on 7/13. I went out to see her today & she seems in good spirits. Everyone at the clinic loves working with her. I can't wait to get her home but she seems to be pretty settled in so they are wanting to keep up the care there. I have hope that she'll be back to running in time. Good luck with your colt. |
