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This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Lower Limb » Flexor Tendinitis »
  Discussion on Odd lump in DDFT area?
Author Message
Member:
Nadia

Posted on Sunday, Jun 11, 2006 - 9:16 am:

Hi, Dr. O:

I was getting ready to ride my horse last night and I noticed that he wouldn't put down his right hind foot. My first thought was that his heels were too low (he just got trimmed, but has always had a low heel on this foot). I noticed a lump just above his fetlock that I think (according to your graphics) is in the deep digital flexor tendon area. It felt like a vein was popped out - I could feel a slight pulse. There was a small amount of heat (very little). I took a picture - you can see the lump in the white area just above the fetlock joint. He would put the foot down - but very slowly and carefully - almost like he needs to snap it into place. I then took him into the arena to walk him around a little to see if he was favoring the leg. He didn't favor it at all and he was standing on it normally. I then felt for the lump - and it was more or less gone. Should I be concerned about this?

Thanks.

I can't attach the file. It is too big. I downloaded Picasa - followed the instructions - but nothing changes on the size. I tried to crop it - but it just got bigger. I can't figure how to save a new copy of it - there is no save option. What am I doing wrong?
Member:
Nadia

Posted on Sunday, Jun 11, 2006 - 9:19 am:

May have figured it out..
Member:
Nadia

Posted on Sunday, Jun 11, 2006 - 9:25 am:

didn't figure it out..
Member:
Nadia

Posted on Sunday, Jun 11, 2006 - 9:46 am:

RH fetlock
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Sunday, Jun 11, 2006 - 11:15 am:

Nadia,
I can barely see it, but not in relation to the fetlock. I know how frustrating it is to try to work with the photo programs.
It reminds me of a wind puff.
Member:
Nadia

Posted on Sunday, Jun 11, 2006 - 11:49 am:

The fetlock looks sort of swollen in this picture, but it isn't. RH fetlock - 2
Member:
Nadia

Posted on Sunday, Jun 11, 2006 - 11:51 am:

try againRH fetlock - 3
Member:
Nadia

Posted on Sunday, Jun 11, 2006 - 11:52 am:

The lump is at the top of the white sock.
Member:
Ilona

Posted on Sunday, Jun 11, 2006 - 7:36 pm:

Hi
That picture looks almost identical to the problem I had with our stallion. I could be quite wrong. What we had was DDFT either torn or sprained, our vet doesn't have the ultra-sound equipment to check which it was. What I did was ice soak it for 1/2 hour every 4 hours for the first 48 hours. It was sweat bandaged with DMSO in-between the ice soaks. He was then just sweat bandaged for 2 more days. I was advised to not ride him or lunge him for 3 months incase it was a tear. That would provide time for repair. Then to do a moderate gait ( he is a Peruvian Paso so has no trot, non-gaited I would have been told to trot him)on a lunge for 5 minutes a day for 30 days. Increase to 10 minutes a day for 30 days. Then put a rider on his back for 5 minutes a day for 30 days and there after increase slowly until we can ride him as usual. Peruvian Paso's can have a DDFT vulnerability, or so I have been told.
I don't know if this helps. I got a lot of this treatment protocol from this site together with info from my vet. We are at the weight baring for five minutes a day stage. It is a slow healing process. Our Stallion is a performance champion, sweet as can be, and worth all the time he needs. Actually, to tell the truth, he is worth all the time he needs because he breaths and I love him.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 - 6:49 am:

Nadia this lump may be nothing more than the folded up flexor tendon unit because the leg is cocked. We need a image with the horse standing square and if the light is poor use a flash. We might be able to tell more from that.
DrO
Member:
Nadia

Posted on Thursday, Jun 15, 2006 - 11:51 pm:

When he stands straight, the lump disappears. I can take a picture, but I assume at this point that it is a folded up flexor tendon as you state. He has been really grumpy trying to ride the past 2 days, rather unlike him. Lately, he stands with this leg turned out - alot. This has always been his bad hock, usually needing an injection every year. If you think there could be something else going on, I can take another picture of him standing square - and standing with the leg turned out.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Jun 16, 2006 - 11:59 am:

If normal when standing a picture not necessary. The question here is the leg lame at the trot, if not look elsewhere for the grumpy attitude.
DrO
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