Patient Stories

            

Maimeri is a 20 year old warm blood mare that became lame three days after an   intense fox hunt.   The Saturday following Thanksgiving 2007, Maimeri spent three hours in the hunt field tackling the steep hills of middle Tennessee.   She demonstrated no evidence of lameness following the hunt, and was given that next Sunday off to recover.   Monday when she was exercised the owner felt that she was off in one of her hind limbs.  Dr. McInturff assessed Maimeri on the farm and found a significant tear in the left hind superficial digital flexor tendon mid-way between the hock and the fetlock. 

At the time of injury Maimeri was 19 years old and had served her owner many good years in the field.  Questions arose from the owner whether it was time for her to retire.  Maimeri was maintained on stall rest and anti-inflammatories for 7 days while the decision was made on how to proceed.  The options for treatment were presented by Dr. McInturff, and the decision was made to give Maimeri the best chance for return to full athletic performance as possible.

                                      
                                          December 11th, 2007


   December 11th, 2007                                                   

On the 13th of December Maimeri was treated with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP).  The activated platelets were injected into the lesion within the superficial flexor tendon.  Maimeri was maintained on stall rest for one month until her next re-check exam and shockwave treatment.

Maimeri was re-ultrasounded and shockwave therapy was initiated on the 9th of January.  The swelling of the torn superficial flexor tendon had decreased dramatically at this point.  The core lesion had become more dense and the tendon fibers were beginning to align.  Maimeri’s rehabilitation program consisted of hand walking once a day for three more weeks until the next re-check.         January 9, 2008                                                                  



  January 9, 2008            
     On the 30th of January Maimeri returned to Tennessee Equine Hospital for her another shockwave treatment and a follow-up ultrasound exam.  The superficial flexor tendon was healing within normal limits.  Maimeri was maintained on stall rest/hand walking for one more month.

 

                            January 30th, 2008        

                                             


                        January 30th, 2008

 

On the 20th of February Maimeri was re-examined  and treated with the final shockwave treatment.  Aamazingly the defect in the tendon could no longer be imaged.  The density and fiber alignment was similar to the non-affected tendon.  Maimeri’s exercise was increased to riding at a walk on the flat ground for 20 minutes each day with gradual return to turnout.  By the first of May, 6 months following the injury, Maimeri was released to full gait transition and hill work.

 

                          February 20th, 2008                        

Maimeri is currently completely sound, enjoying the 2008/2009 hunt season.  Dr. McInturff comments that it is so rewarding to provide the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic tools in an effort to return the injured equine athlete back to their peak performance.  The owner comments that every day in the field with Maimeri is such a gift, a gift that she thought that she never would have again.