Peroneus Tertius Rupture

[wanderlust]

Wondering if anyone has dealt with this somewhat recently? I searched but any other posts on the topic seem to be 5+ years ago.

If so, how long were you on stall rest? What did rehab protocol look like?

We are heading into week 7 of strict stall rest - no bony involvement, rupture just above the hock. We treated with PRP 6 days post-injury and in the past couple weeks he is looking to have pretty good use of the hock again walking around the stall. We’ll ultrasound again in another two weeks, but curious how others have fared.

[theresak]

My friend’s horse did this a few years ago and I helped her hand walk and rehab him. I think he was on stall/pen rest for 6 months but could hand walk pretty quickly in the process. She did stall rest only - no other treatments were performed. There was no bony involvement but I can’t remember if they did ultrasounds or just flexed and monitored the toe drag/flight of the hoof during movement.

The rehab was walking under saddle for 30 minutes. Then we added trotting the long sides for 5 minutes and adding 5 minutes every week up to 25 minutes, and then we gradually added trotting through the corners. Finally we added canter (3 minutes to start, up to like 10 or 15 minutes?). Towards the tail end of the rehab, we did ground poles at the walk and trot to help him lift the foot a bit higher.

The horse ended up getting his hocks injected after he was back in full work because the opposite hock had some significant changes/stiffness compared to pre-injury.

[JB]

Not recent, so you might have already seen my thread, but it still is what it is.

Stall rest for 2 weeks to get over the acute phase of things. Also no bony involvement.

I fenced off a small area around his stall and started letting him out while I cleaned his stall a few times a day. Time out increased from there.

Within a couple weeks of that, he was on full day turnout in his reduced area. Within another few weeks he was in/out 24x7.

Just like his severed extensor tendon injury a few years earlier, I feel, and was advised and given the go ahead by some respected “leg vets”, that the sooner you can get them with quiet, controlled movement, the better, stronger healing you’re going to have. My N=2, and many discussions with others who have had the same injuries, has agreed with that.

Yes, my guy did some silly stupid things in the early days that probably tore some of the baby tendon connections, but he learned also that it hurt, so he stopped doing that.

By 3 months, he was on full time turnout with the rest of the horses, in the 8-ish acres. At 4 months I hand walked him for 30 minutes a day for 2 weeks, then got on, and everything was perfect.

[wanderlust]

Thanks guys, this is helpful!

JB - my vet is not one for letting them sit around in a stall (neither am I); anything that breaks in our barn starts getting tack-walked pretty quickly so they heal while bearing the load they’ll have in work. However, he was VERY adamant that in this case, with the complete rupture and location of the rupture, activities be limited to allow it the best chance to knit back together “cleanly” (for lack of better word).

I’m curious to see whether he’ll graduate him to turnout first, or start hand/tack-walking.

[JB]

Mine was a complete rupture too So freaky to see the hock extended straight, on a fully flexed stifle :eek: But I understand. My guy is really quiet and food-motivated, so his quiet, personal pasture worked well for him.

[wanderlust]

This one just turned four two weeks ago - he’d been under saddle ~60 days. He’s a champ, but does not like solo turnout and will get running/leaping pretty quickly even in a small space.

And yeah, it is SOOOOOO wrong to see it extend out like that. Made my stomach turn. Along with watching him basically drag that leg around from the stifle for a few weeks. :dead: The day he actually started picking it up and bending the hock just the tiniest bit again was a very happy day.

[JB]

I hear you! My horse severed his extensor tendon just after turning 4. It was 4-5 years later he ruptured his PT.

[wanderlust]

Just wanted to give a quick update - vet came yesterday to ultrasound, 60 days post-injury. He was pleased with how it has healed thus far, and he says it’s all working the way it should and is pretty solid. Horse is allowed to come out of his stall to hand graze now.

There is one small spot left that still needs to fill in a bit more - he wants to to hit just that small area with PRP next week to ensure it heals as well as possible. 2 weeks after that, he is cleared to get turned out in the round pen we have set up on the grass and/or get tack-walked for 20 mins/day (if he remembers how to be ridden).

Wahoo!

[JB]

That’s fantastic! :yes:

[wanderlust]

Thanks! A lot faster recovery than I think anyone had even hoped so I’m thrilled.