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Minty Arab
Silver Member
 England
482 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 3:11:59 PM
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hello, wondering if anyone can help i will explain;
my mare had a puncture wound to the deep digital flexor tendon in her hind leg march this year (after being chased by a farmer on a quad bike who was trying to herd the cows that had got into her field,well the cows barged straight through the fence and my mare went through the middle of the cows and the broken post went into her leg under the fetlock! this was on a livery yard/working farm,needless to say we moved!) well we had an ultrasound done which showed that the large windgall that she had been left with was definatly scarring and excess synovial fluid,not infection,
we walked her in hand a lot as the vet said we had to keep the tendon moving,then by the middle of august we were told to ride at a walk starting off at about 10 mins and gradually increasing, she was still on half a sachet of bute a day but was managing ok for a few wks, then she went stonking lame again and the vet gave her another ultrasound & steriod injections into the tendon sheath.
we followed all instructions and started from the beginning again! anyway we went back to riding at a walk & increasing the time slowly this was going ok, then the vet and the physio decided we could start a coule of strides of trot and then to increase the amount well we did this and it was fine for a while,then we started to cut the bute down,things were ok for about a week, then disaster!she was stonking lame again! the windgall is bigger than ever and is very tight and there seems to be a very tight band around her fetlock,my vet now wants her to go to liphook equine hospital for an arthroscopy,well this is where im confused,i thought arthoscopy can cause scarring? has anyone else been through anything similar?
we are seven months on from the initial injury and i dont know what to do for the best? any stories or advice would be gratefully recieved thank for reading i know its a bit of ramble on but im tearing my hair out!
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Kelly
Platinum Member
England
1571 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 5:41:14 PM
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Hi
I've no advice whatsoever, I just wanted to send you a hug and hope that you find out what's wrong with your mare soon, so that she can come sound.
x
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Kelly
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ella
Gold Member
United Kingdom
786 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 6:00:31 PM
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Sounds like she may have annular ligament constriction:
http://www.liphookequinehosp.co.uk/lltendon.htm
but if your vet is advising arthroscopy, this is to look inside the fetlock joint. Usually this would be done after seeing something suspicious on xrays unrelated to tendon problems (though could be caused by the original injury). |
   
"If an 'alternative treatment' has reliable effect it becomes classified simply as MEDICINE" D.B. |
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jillandlomond
Platinum Member
Scotland
3586 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 6:04:47 PM
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Hi,
This injury sounds very similar to one my boy Lomond sustained a couple of years ago. His windgall was HUGE but nothing was showing up on the scans, so we opted to go in with the camera, using keyhole surgery, to see what was going on with his DDFT.
It turned out to be a longitundinal tear of the DDFT which doesn't show up on scans. The most worrying bit about the operation was the recovery from the general anaesthetic, but he coped fine I'm relieved to say!
It took about 4 months for him to come sound again after the operation and then a further 8 months, gradually building up his workload to get him back to peak fitness again. Exactly 1 year after his op, he successfully completed a 120km (75 miles) endurance ride
There was no scarring whatsoever....BUT unfortunately he has re-injured it again (2 years later) and I've taken the decision not to risk putting him through the anaesthetic again. He's 16 now, and very happily early retired! |
    
Borders, Scotland |
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ella
Gold Member
United Kingdom
786 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 6:40:28 PM
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| Looking at the tendons with a "scope" is called tenoscopy, maybe this is what has been recommended? |
"If an 'alternative treatment' has reliable effect it becomes classified simply as MEDICINE" D.B. |
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Minty Arab
Silver Member
England
482 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 8:19:13 PM
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Thankyou for your replies,its definatly an arthroscopy that my vet is suggesting,he isnt going to do this himself cos he doesnt have the expertise in this field which is why he is refering us to liphook,so maybe it will end up being a tenoscope? i dont know.
Also im pretty sure she has annular ligament constriction,im sure thats what the vet said the tight band round her fetlock was,its quite difficult to take in what the vet is telling me!(my brain is like mashed potato now!)
Thank you all for your support,kelly i defo needed that hug! much appreciated!
also thanks jill your story is helpful and im really glad you got a few more happy riding years with your boy,much love to him.
Ella the link was very helpful,like i said i dont know if this "arthroscopy" will turn out to be a tenoscopy instead but i will let you know what happens, im most worried about more internal scarring,its bad enough as it is! but the chance of her having a general anaesthetic is also very worring.
thanks again for you're help so far.
Emma X |
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Minty Arab
Silver Member
England
482 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 8:22:41 PM
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| oooh forgot to say, she hasnt had any x rays as the vet said ultrasound would be better.(she has had two ultrasounds the last one was in august) |
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Pixie
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
6586 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 8:34:04 PM
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| i don't know enought about this at all but i do know that i can wish you all the luck at the liphook and wish Minty a speedy recovery. take care. x |
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saddlebred
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1706 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 8:47:07 PM
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Hi Minty Arab
I have posted about my horse who had an arthroscopy for bone mice (chips) on her fetlock. Have pasted in here for ease of reference:
"Just to say that my mare had to have 6 chips removed from her fetlock. She was 18 at the time so probably one of their older patients for such surgery! There were no complications from the surgery. She is now 25 and as fit as a fiddle. Am riding her and she has never shown any signs of any arthritis or anything else developing. I was very careful with her rehab - she had lengthy box rests with increasing walks in hand and when I brought her back into work I took it very slowly."
As people have said on here I think that arthroscopies are for bone problems rather than tendons but maybe the tenoscopy is a similar procedure.
My mare did have to have 3 months box rest with increasing walks in hand and then a very careful rehab programme. I was told that there is an increased risk of arthritis after the surgery. If you are careful with the recovery though I can highly recommend this surgery.
All the very best. I hope your girl is on the mend soon.
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Based Bewdley Worcs |
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Minty Arab
Silver Member
England
482 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2008 : 2:40:26 PM
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| the liphook have just rung and they want her in on sunday ready for surgery on the monday!! now im really really scared! cant seem to get much information from either my vet or liphook,istill dont understand why they are proposing the arthroscopy or what the process will involve! im running round like a headless chicken,dont know what to do for the best? |
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jillandlomond
Platinum Member
Scotland
3586 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2008 : 2:54:58 PM
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Hi,
They have to have the horse admitted to the hospital the day before so that they can prepare her for her general anaestheic. It's a bit like us humans have to be "nil by mouth" etc before this procedure in hospital. They also have to monitor her to check that her heart, lungs etc are in good enough shape to cope with the anaesthetic.
I'd guess your vet has opted to do the athroscopy so that he can find out for definite what is going on within the tendon. The procedure involves a tiny camera being inserted into the area that requires further investigation. The images are seen on a large tv type screen.
It's a fascinating procedure to watch, so if you're given the opportunity to go, it's well worth it!
Very best of luck to your mare with her op. As previously stated, the most dangerous part of the procedure is when they're coming round from the general anaesthetic.
Let us know how it goes!
HTH, Jx
Edited to correct my appalling spelling! |
Borders, Scotland |
Edited by - jillandlomond on 17 Oct 2008 5:25:43 PM |
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angelarab
Platinum Member
Wales
2876 Posts |
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Minty Arab
Silver Member
England
482 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2008 : 11:10:56 AM
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Hi everybody, its now been changed to tuesday the 28th so she will have the surgery the next day, they are going to go in with the camara check whats going on and trim the scar tissue,her recovery will depend on what else they find,she will be in the hospital for 3 to 5 days so i am going to stay up there with her,they have said the biggest risks are the recovery(from the anaesthetic),possible infection and the initial rehab!(so not much then!!!!) the vets have said that this is her best chance of a comfortable life so i hope im doing the right thing by letting this go ahead? i wish she could talk so then at least i could ask her if shes ok with this!!! wheres dr dolittle when you need him!!!
sorry im really losing the plot now! thanks for all your support any hugs will be greatfully accepted.Emma X |
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Pixie
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
6586 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2008 : 11:55:12 AM
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| I for one will send you a big hug. Really hope Minty is ok and that all will be well in your life. Don't forget to look after yourself too. |
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Zan
Platinum Member
Scotland
3213 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2008 : 12:21:54 PM
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| Another hug coming from me. That's great that you are going to be staying nearby---I am sure visits from you will speed her recovery. |
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kimzi
Gold Member
865 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2008 : 1:12:37 PM
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| Sorry i have to post please don't ignore this, if you have a good insurance company ring the animal health trust in Newmarket, explain that the digital flexor is damaged and you have the layered scans and enquire if stem cell therapy is still viable after the elapsed time. My huge beg borrow and steal for old buddy ended up with them and the procedure is a miracle in modern medicine as i say if your insurer is good don't overlook it. |
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Minty Arab
Silver Member
England
482 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2008 : 5:45:04 PM
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| thanks for the advice kimzi,im with the nfu and have full vet cover they are pretty good(well have been so far!)so i will enquire X |
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Minty Arab
Silver Member
England
482 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2008 : 6:40:47 PM
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| also thanks for the hugs guys,will let you know what happens,we have to be there for 2:00 on tuesday the 28th,im so scared about the anaesthetic! cant sleep,eat ect,cant wait for it to be over! Em X |
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Mrs Vlacq
Platinum Member
Wales
3776 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2008 : 7:19:59 PM
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 gosh what a saga! No real advice / experience of this (thank goodness) but just wishing you lots of luck for the tests and a steady recovery |
    
- V Khazad - V Calacirya & V Sulime - Quarida(L) - V Boogie Knights - V Hamra Tofiq |
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Fleas
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
142 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2008 : 11:32:57 PM
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| Hello Minty, this is the same as what my 7 yo has gone through twice now, these surgeons are brilliant, in my experiences they look after your horse extremely well and it is surprisng at how quick the surgery is. I sure she will recover just fine, they are stapled and bandaged up pretty well and it is surprising at how neat this looks after the 10 days staple removal!!! Chin up girl, my boy was absoloutely fine after leg no1 with annular ligament and tendon damage, and like Jillandlomond he did the same thing to his other front a year later and his backs are iffy but that is his make up and I am very unlucky!!! You will be so busy amusing her the time does go by quickly and before you know it you will be back to walking her out gradually and she will be so much more comfortable :) I send you a big hug for you and your mare and if you ever need to have a stress out pm me!!!! i will be thinking of you on 29th (my sons birthday) Best of luck xxx |
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saddlebred
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1706 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2008 : 4:59:57 PM
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| Best wishes for Tuesday. I am sure all will be fine. Try not to worry. |
Based Bewdley Worcs |
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Minty Arab
Silver Member
England
482 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 11:06:44 AM
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thanks everybody,will let you know how it goes,im so scared im now chewing on my fingers as ive got no nails left!
minty is blissfully unaware at the moment and im trying to be as calm and emotion free as poss so i dont upset her(which is virtually impossible)we have to be at liphook at 2:oo tomorrow,they will probably do the surgery early on wednesday morning,so please keep everything crossed for us,fingers,toes,eyes,ect(well maybe dont cross your eyes,that could be dangerous!)will keep you all posted and thanks again for all your support,it really has helped get me through this last week!
Emma X |
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nikki
Platinum Member
Wales
4384 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 11:37:45 AM
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oh emma, no exp. of this but hugs for you, and melika sends her little sister lots of get well vibes!
i hope it goes smoothly, keep us updated
hugs nikki |
pagey |
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Pixie
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
6586 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 11:38:07 AM
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Hi Emma
wishing Minty all the very best wishes that there are in the world. hope all goes ok. have my fingers crossed for you. take care. x |
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Pixie
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
6586 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 11:38:43 AM
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| i know you will be away from the computer but keep us posted if you can. x |
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swalk
Gold Member
United Kingdom
769 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2008 : 2:19:29 PM
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Hi Emma,
Just want to say hope everything goes well for you and Minty, she is such a beautiful girl!
Sally |
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"Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened."