suspensory injury

[Pete Occhialini <poko@jps.net>]

--
Rancho Occhialini
"Where the fat guy lumbers"

Carol Gillis DVM spoke at the AERC  convention this year and addressed
tendon and ligament injuries.  She is from the University of California
at Davis, and most of our vets in this area(Auburn, Ca.) refer their
clients to her and encourage the adherence to her rehab program.  Her
specialty is leg injuries and the diagnosis of such by ultrasound.  When
a suspensory tear is diagnosed, the confinement time is 60-90 days in a
stall with maybe a small paddock for turnout.  A repeat ultrasound will
determine if the horse can be ridden at a walk.  This is done 5 days a
week for 45 min a day.  Then a repeat ultrasound after 30 days will
determine if the horse can start trotting.   This is done gradually, 45
minutes of riding at a walk with 5 minutes of trotting.  After 10 rides,
go to 10 minutes of trotting, after 10 rides, 15 minutes of trotting,
and after 10 more rides, 20 minutes of trotting .  Repeat ultrasound and
if all looks good you're finally done.  She states that healing can take
months and healing changes in the fiber patterns can be seen up to 3
years after the injury.  Obviously, this is not an injury to be taken
lightly.  Patience is the key.
Karin Occhialini


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.    
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp   
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=