[3WishesDun]

I had a thread running in Adult about Doc's injury to his right hock. But I am going to update here, since the news is health related.
Initially the swelling was too difuse to be able to see exactly what was really going on.... After about a week though, with lots of icing, it became clear that Doc had really done a number on himself.

Thankfully, his x-rays are clear, but he has displaced his superficial digital flexor tendon off the point of his hock.

The SDFT is the tendon the runs down the back of the leg and should ride over the middle of the calcaneus (point of the hock) and then continue on down where it branches below the fetlock and connects to PI and P II. As it courses over the point of the hock it is held in place by little check ligaments medially and laterally. It seems he has torn the ligamentous attachent medially and now the SDFT is coursing laterally down the side of the hock. It is not completely luxated, so with that leg resting the SDFT slides back into place.... but when he walks or bears weight, it will intermittently "plunk" right off of the hock. Which I must add... is sort of gross to watch.

Believe it or not, complete reduction of the inflammation in and around his hock actually makes the displacement worse and allows more play in the tendon. So I am trying to walk a delicate line between keeping the swelling down so that he can properly heal, but not taking it down so far that Doc will have his tendon popping on and off like crazy.

There is a surgical procedure to try and reattach the ligaments and keep the SDFT in place, but it is costly, requires a full leg cast for 1-2 months and approximately one year healing time. And it does not gauruntee soundness.

The vet is going to call some equine surgeons she knows in Ocala today and let me know if they have had any success with this s/x.... so I can consider all the options. He's on stall rest, with a little movement in the barnyard completely seperated from the other horses. If he is not allowed any movement, he severely swells up in his other legs and it exacerbates his arthritis. Thankfully out of all my horses, Doc is the quietest and most sensible and he's being an excellent "patient".

Whether he will ever be able to be ridden again, is probably unlikely, but you never know. He will at least be pasture sound. Which is all right with me.

I have some pictures but it's not as clear as when you see it pop off of the hock. You can make out how the SDFT is coursing to the right (laterally) instead of taking the route down over the center of the calcaneus.

His swelling is primarily on the upper left side (medially) where it tore lose. I put my finger in one of the pics to show where it is displaced to the right. (laterally) In the other pic, I am pointing out the medial swelling.









Merck has 2 good drawings of medial and lateral displacement of the SDFT.


Annnnnnnnyway.... this has been keeping my busy these past 2 weeks.
If anyone has any experience with this type of injury I'd love any input. And if not, Doc could use some good thoughts.
Thanks for listening.

[doublebarr]

April - you know all my prayers are with you and Doc. God Bless!

I have never had this happen, so am little help, sorry.

Just wondering, did the teen ever "confess" to his part in this?

[Jess!]

Ouch! Poor Doc I'm sorry he got that hurt. I'll keep hoping for the best possible turnout.

Keep us updated.

[3WishesDun]

Cindy,
Thank you. I went over and talked to Mom about a week ago. I explained things like we all had discussed in the Adult section (without accusations, but to let her know what happened & what I suspected). She seemed concerned but didn't make that leap to the possibility her son was the culprit. But at least she knows and said she'd talk with her son to see if he was aware of anyone throwing things at Doc. I went over there last Monday, I think. And at that time, I didn't know it was the SDFT that was injured or the possibility that he may never be sound again.

[JBandRio]

Wow, I wonder how often that sort of injury happens? What are the implications if this SDFT never fully reattaches? I'm asking because horses seem to have an amazing ability to recover from some really wonky things when turned out and left alone.

[spyro1]

Oh April..... I am so sorry to hear this news. I dont have any experiences in this area, knock on wood, but you know that Doc is in my thoughts, and the offer still stands to come on down there.
One of my clients just had a TB gelding down at the Ocala Equine Hospital for a surgery on his fetlock, a customer at work just had a mare go through colic surgery there after U of F didnt have room. They both had nothing but good things to say about the facility and staff, not sure if that is where you are looking into, or if that is the route you choose. Let me know if ya need someone to ride with or meet you there.

[3WishesDun]

Originally Posted by JBandRio

Wow, I wonder how often that sort of injury happens? What are the implications if this SDFT never fully reattaches? I'm asking because horses seem to have an amazing ability to recover from some really wonky things when turned out and left alone.

Jordana,
I think that without surgery the SDFT will find its own "new place" to the side. And it will lose that slipping he is experiencing now. Ofcourse, it won't be where it's supposed to be, but it doesn't mean that new place will be painful. It could however, cause a very jerky motion in the hock and make the back leg somewhat unstable while being ridden. I am guessing that is why there is a poor prognosis for riding in that respect. And the vet did say it is something she has never seen, nor her colleagues. But that perhaps the equine surgeons in Ocala had, and that she would ask them.

Thanks Beth. I will PM you later.

[Deb]

I'm sorry that it is your horse yet that is really interesting and informative. I hope when it heals up and places itself wherever that may be, that he will be sound enough for at least light riding.

I'd be fuming if there was someone responsible for that happening to him.

[Peg D]

I'm sorry April.
I was just thinking about you too and here comes this thread.
Prayers for Doc.

[Lacys Mom]

April, I'm searching for words... I know you don't need this right now (not that there's ever a good time for an injury). You and Doc are in my prayers, and like all your HGS family, I'm here for you. Wish I could offer more help.