Injury to the lateral fetlock ligament.
Equine Case Study
SPECIES: Horse
BREED: Sella Italiano
GENDER: Gelding
AGE: 15 years
COMPETITIVE ACTIVITY: Show jumping, cat. 135
Clinical case:
The day after a training session, Lux showed sudden acute fourth-degree lameness at the left front leg. When exiting the stable he was lame at the walk, with an oedema at the side of the fetlock. During palpation, there was pain and local inflammation. The left leg around the fetlock showed an inflammatory oedema, with responsive pain at palpation. A scan on 18th June evidenced considerable damage to the lateral fetlock ligament.
Initial situation
Therapy:
Lux underwent MLS® Laser Therapy set at spot «oedema» and «acute pain» parameters for the first session. From the second session, the parameters set were «oedema» and «acute tendinitis». No systemic therapy was given nor any compressive bandaging applied. The pain, the oedema and the lameness when walking nearly disappeared completely after the first treatment. After 5 sessions, Lux was no longer lame, nor showed any swelling and there was a complete absence of pain. Control scans on 8 July, after three weeks’ therapy are shown at the side.
Results:
After MLS® Laser Therapy, Lux was able to walk at the rein and went back to the paddock in August. He gradually began saddled activities in September. When these injuries are treated conventionally, they generally require around 6 months’ rest before recommencing any activity.