Rehabbing an extensor tendon bruise

[jsydney5]

My gelding bumped his extensor tendon during turnout on Memorial day. Vet ultra sounded it and there was no tear, hole or anything alarming, just swelling. Vet said it was just badly bruised. We stall rested for two weeks, surpassed, standing bandages, cold hosed…and then put him back to work slowly. Some days the swelling is bigger than others, and it sort of morphs throughout the leg. (Some days the swelling is high, some days it is right on the cut where he bumped it).

Vet says it’s fine, sometimes bruises like that take a long time to go away, albeit a very BIG bruise. Coach says it’s fine, and he’s 110% sound and training very well. But then there’s me…where I’m fairly hesitant to ride him when his leg is swollen. He is the type of horse that when a horse nips him, he swells up. A fly bites him, he swells up! He’s always self destructing himself…so this comes as no surprise!

Can someone else share their experience with a bruise on an extensor tendon, and whether or not they still rode?

[JB]

Is it hot? If not, I wouldn’t worry about riding, but I would take it easy for a while. How long has he been back in work, and what’s his current work load?

And yes, they can take a long time to really resolve.

I’d keep a journal so you can get an objective look at what, if anything, makes it swell more. Hotter/more humid days? More canter work? More lateral work? After 3 days of work? That sort of thing.

I’ve rehabbed a severed ET, and have talked with quite a few who have dealt with bruised ETs and nobody ever had any trouble.

[jsydney5]

JB-

Thanks so much for your feedback. Minimal heat, not sensitive when palpated…just swollen. He’s the type that if it hurts at ALL, he’ll try to kick out.

The journal is a great idea. I’ve been taking mental notes. It’s the most swollen when he is in a stall without a standing bandage…although it was quite swollen this morning when he came in from the field. But MOST of the time, it looks great when he comes in from the field.

[JB]

The observation is likely related to a damaged lymphatic system in that area which has a hard(er) time moving fluid out of the leg with reduced movement. That’s my guy. In his case, it’s permanent, though it’s likely to be temporary for your guy. So limit long-term damage, I’d make sure he’s wrapped for now while in his stall.

What happened last night? Anything that might have caused him to stand around more than usual?