Treatment of Collateral Ligament Injuries in Horses
- Medication. Anti-inflammatory medications may be given for up to eight weeks.
- Rest. Coupled with the anti-inflammatory medications, your horse will need a lot of rest.
- Monitoring.
What happens when the lateral collateral ligament is damaged?
Numbness or weakness in the foot may occur if the peroneal nerve, which is near the ligament is stretched during the injury or is pressed by swelling in surrounding tissues. Pain that can be mild or acute. Stiffness. Swelling and tenderness along the outside of the knee.
How do you treat a collateral ligament injury?
Most LCL injuries can be treated at home with:
- Rest and protecting your knee.
- Ice or a cold pack.
- Wrapping your knee with an elastic bandage (compression).
- Propping up (elevating) your knee.
- Anti-inflammatory medicine.
What is a check ligament injury in horses?
Injuries to the check ligament are often acute and present as a sudden onset lameness. There is usually heat, pain and swelling around the tendons in the upper cannon area. Chronic cases can also occur and typically present as repeated strains to the ligament over a period of time.
Can the lateral collateral ligament heal itself?
LCL tears rarely need surgery, because the ligament usually heals itself. Surgery is typically only needed when other ligaments or structures of the knee are also injured.
How do I know if my horse has pulled a tendon?
First signs of tendon injury Damage to a tendon usually results in inflammation which we commonly feel as heat and swelling. Minor fibre damage leads to slight enlargement of the affected part of the tendon which feels warmer than the corresponding area of the opposite limb. Mild sprains often do not cause lameness.
Why is my horse limping on front leg?
Navicular, punctures or even an advanced case of thrush in the hooves can cause a horse to be lame. Further up the leg, tendon or ligament strain can cause slight lameness. Bone chips in the joints, arthritis, and many other problems can cause slight lameness.
How do you treat tendon injuries in horses?
Initial conventional treatment includes systemic and local anti-inflammatory therapy: Ice or cold water is applied for the first seven to ten days, depending on the amount of heat and swelling. Phenylbutazone therapy for five to seven days is indicated as a systemic anti-inflammatory. Some veterinarians advocate the use of DMSO, applied topically for seven to ten days to help reduce local swelling.
What are the symptoms of a lateral collateral injury?
People with knee lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injuries often report a combination of the following symptoms: Pain along the outside of the knee . This can be mild to severe depending on the severity of the tear.
Can you walk with a torn LCL?
Answer. While most patients with a strained or torn ligament will have increased pain with ambulation, not all patients are prevented from walking by this injury. Increased pain may not become apparent until that particular ligament is forcefully strained by more intense physical activity such as running or pivoting on that knee.
What is the result of an injury to a ligament?
The scapho-lunate ligament is a key ligament on the radial side of the wrist (thumb side). Injury of this ligament is usually the result of a fall onto the outstretched hand and causes RADIAL WRIST PAIN. Often the pain of the initial injury resolves and it seems the injury has healed.
