AHT Case Studies- Oscar
Oscar, a 7-year-old gelding, was brought to the Trust by his owner, Elizabeth Ellis, with left forelimb lameness. There was no heat, pain or swelling but the lameness worsened when moving on a left circle, especially on hard ground. Desensitisation of the whole foot abolished the lameness, indicating that Oscar’s pain was within his foot or lower pastern. An ultrasound scan led Dr Sue Dyson, Head of Orthopaedics, to suspect damage to the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT).
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the foot confirmed this and revealed a large tear in the tendon. The images showed an adhesion between the tendon and navicular bone which may have prevented normal tendon movement and predisposed Oscar to the DDFT injury.
Dr Dyson was able to tell Elizabeth that Oscar was likely to improve, although it may take many months for the tendon to heal adequately through rest and controlled exercise. Although there is a risk of re-injury, Oscar has resumed work with Elizabeth, albeit at a reduced level.
