Pedal bone fracture

stormybracken · Pedal bone fracture

Anyone have any experience of this? Just curious, DEFINATELY not panicking.... Rolling Eyes

horsesfirst

Why are you (not) panicking? Do you think your horse has broken their pedal bone?

Shod horse at yard I used to be on did it twice. Recovered both times. So if you horse has got it I know at least one that was ok. Albeit points to a few issues in that it happened twice..........

Nic

There have been previous posts on this - seems more common in shod horses - have a search back through the old posts.

N

stormybracken

Thanks - will look again, must have missed them.
Still trying to get a diagnosis of cause of lameness as tricky to treat until that happens, dodgy x-rays aren't helping! This is one of the theories being put forward about a recent x-ray, nothing conclusive and the suggestion hasn't come from the vet initially. However, I've learnt not to discount anything until I'm satisfied, and doing as much research as possible from reputable sources before discussing treatment is proving useful. Doesn't hurt to know as much as possible just in case.
Am not panicking as have had theories over the last few months, and until an accurate diagnosis is made they will still keep coming! As this lameness has been for a while I think other factors are coming into play now which possibly weren't the original cause, obviously on-going lameness is causing a strain on the rest of his body wherever it originated from, and various red herrings are appearing.
If nothing else, he'll have a strong functioning sole and frog and heels...

Nic

Some previous posts here:

http://uknhcp.myfastforum.org/ftopic240-0-0-asc-coffin.php

N

cptrayes

Known of several, all in shod horses, and all recovered to their previous workloads with rest as the only treatment.

C

stormybracken

Good to hear cptrayers, -ish, all in shod horses? Mine was barefoot, albeit badly-managed, so won't second guess yet. I know it takes time, but you need to know you're on the right track so accurate diagnosis is all.

Thanks Nic, had previously looked but think scanned the "shod" bit out so missed it.

Whatever, by correcting his nutrition his sole and heels have firmed up and started rising, so support is all. Is only a suggestion at this stage. Have more knowledge than a few hours ago!

stormybracken

Fresh x-rays to be taken on Thursday by new vets, to hopefully diagnose once and for all any fracture.
Still having difficulty finding information about treatment of pedal bone fractures other than shoeing and box rest. I understand it can depend on the location and severity of the fracture as to whether surgery is necessary, and whether immobilisation really is the best course of action, but there must be information somewhere? Would like to be clued up before meeting new vets, especially as old vets have my Feet First book! Crying or Very sad

Any ideas?

brucea

I do struggle to understand how hammering a shoe onto the hoof can help a pedal bone fracture - is it that the shoe will "cast" the hoof?

stormybracken

Exactly! But without something authoritative to refer to I'm struggling with the non-barefooters who are, after all, the ones I am (well the insurance) is paying to diagnose and treat this lameness. I suspect it is one of those situations where because it is so rare for a barefoot horse to have this type of fracture it is rare to have documentary evidence of its recovery. Also, without that information I'm not prepared to take on his treatment myself, I'd just be guessing what to do.

Of course, it may not be a fracture..... can't find a crossed fingers emoticon.

brucea

Well - we are still struggling to identify what the problem we had way back in January was - and pedal bone fracture was on the list of possible diagnoses that drove the need for xrays. Thankfully the digital x=rays were just amazing and showed no sign of a fracture.

Like you, I have heard of this in shod horses - but not in a barefoot horse, and the last one I saw was on a jumper that belonged to an old mate of mine - was a fracture of the medial palmar process on a front - it was on box rest for 12 weeks but didn't have shoes on as I remember. Horse was profoundly lame though and seemed in a fair bit of discomfort.

I guess it might be caused by landing hard on a rock when having a hooley around?

brucea

Oh - just remembered something - Dave had two trips to the vet with his guy - it was only on the second trip that they did some different projections - the fracture was only visible on one plane.

I remember because I gave him a lift in my lorry (r.i.p Sad

) second time round, and being a fellow Aberdonian didn't pay for diesel!.

cptrayes

This is one case where I would definitely shoe. A fracture needs a "cast" to mend, as Bruce suggests. To fix the pedal bone so it is as immobile as possible I would definitely shoe with a heart bar. I've seen it done and the horse was cured perfectly. It only needs to be on for a few months and the hoof will soon recover. I can't think of any other way you could "cast" the foot. I wouldn't hesitate for a moment, myself.

C

brucea

I remember there wasn't that much hoof on one side to put a shoe on - the shoe coming off saw to that which is when they think the fracture happened. Davey's horse always had pretty bad feet anyway and couldn't keep shoes on for long. I think they did shoe again at some point, but by then I'd moved on.

stormybracken

Hooray - no fractures Laughing

Still not sure how I would have treated if there had been, so will keep researching, have found it very interesting now it isn't going to keep me awake!

Just have to get him sound now....
After a few drinkies.

brucea

Aw great - good to hear that

Yann

Good news, and good luck Smile