Nerve Entrapment causing Lameness

Shardie is a 16 year old dark bay Thoroughbred who had enjoyed a long competitive career with her owner until a sudden crippling lameness occurred. There had been no prior indications or symptoms before that time and her owner hoped that it could be quickly resolved.  Shardie continued to suffer with intermittent lameness in the off hind and was clearly in pain with her condition. Over time the problem got worse until Shardie could not put any weight on the off hind foot. Her constant tip toeing led practitioners to believe the issue was in the lower limb. She had failed both hind limb flexion tests and came sound after nerve blocks to the lower off hind.

All evidence pointed to the lower limb & it was initially believed it to be an abscess but after further inconclusive investigation, everyone was left confused.

After three years of guess work her owner had become more and more distressed as Shardie was clearly low spirited and in serious pain. After meeting Equiscan at Kelsall Hill Equestrian centre Shardie’s owner gave us a call to investigate further.

There is a clear hypothermic asymmetry radiating in the left gluteal and sacral region extending down the sciatic groove which is consistent with radicular dysfunction.

This image show hypothermic asymmetry to the left gluteal

  Gluteal/ sacral thermogram in red scale. Notice the black pattern over the left side gluteal area. This is the source of the nerve issues. Different scales help our vets to locate different conditions and areas of abnormality.

Vet Interpritation

Hypothermic asymmetry extending down the sciatic groove which is consistent with radicular dysfunction. Thermal findings in left quarters and leg indicate sciatic nerve dysfunction, most likely entrapment at sacral level. Our vets also checked that all other patterns and temperature differentials are considered within normal limits.

Summary:
Report was forwarded to clients veterinarian and it was decided to start treatment with Osteopathy. After the first treatment Shardie made a dramatic improvement and a nerve entrapment was confirmed. Two days after treatment with equine osteopath Bruce Hewett a dramatic improvement was noted.  Shardie has now made a full recovery  and 3 years of discomfort and lameness has been left behind. Sharide is now back competing and her owners are thrilled.

This is an example of how DITI can help locate & fix simple issues and help your vet to decide on the best course of treatment.