Presenting Concern:
Doc is a 13 year old OTTB who presented for crow hopping in canter transitions. When going downhill, he would slip his L hip. Hind shoes were added and seemed to help slightly. Doc’s owner had recently reached out to a saddle fitter to make sure the saddle was not contributing to Doc’s problems. Doc developed anxiety when the tack came out. His owner got through it by moving slowly and calmly when tacking him up. Due to his recent under-saddle behavior, Doc had been out of consistent work for approximately 2 months prior to presenting to Hoofbeats.
As you can see from the video, Doc was uncomfortable to palpation of his back and even his hind limbs. He continuously tried to walk away and even out of the camera frame. The tail swishing was continuous throughout his examination.
Highlights of Clinical Findings:
- neck bent right when standing untouched
- trapezius sore to palpation
- severe shoulder asymmetry
- sensitive to girth region on both sides
- back soreness noted on both sides
- guarded when extending LH limb, RH stifle inflamed
- atrophy of the middle gluteal (both sides, symmetric)
- mild lameness of LH and LF
- stubs hind toes, trips occasionally
- pins ears, opens mouth, bites at air when tightening girth
- hollows back with tack, hind feet interfere
Diagnostics:
An ultrasound examination of the lumbar spine and pelvis was conducted. There was remodeling of several joint spaces in the lumbar spine. Severe muscle tension and scar tissue were noted throughout the back.
Treatments:
Ultrasound guided injections of the back were performed and a rehabilitation program was prescribed for home use. Doc came back for a recheck and the thoracic sling was addressed with a combination of injections and shock wave therapy. The saddle was fitted and rehabilitation continued. At our last recheck, the limb lameness was improved but still present. The stifles were injected using Alpha2Eq and Doc returned home to finish his rehab.