Tibial Stress Fracture

[Evenheaven]

Long story short, my 3 y.o. maiden has been in training since March... started to experience some stiffle soreness after a breeze. Changed the shoes in the rear to add some blocks on the outside and that seemed to help some. Trainer went so far as some injections and then this filly had an incredible work.... that's when she came up real sore. Without doing the expensive bone scan (since it will tell me rest if this is the case anyways) I'm doing 30 days of stall rest and 8 to 12 weeks of small paddock before re-evaluating her.

My question is this: I'm sure some of you have dealt with this before and I want to know the cause and recovery. Trainer blames the poly track becuase she claims its so hard and no give. Research I've done is too much over training in terms of too much distance work - per the 2 university studies I researached. Any ideas or help???!?!?!?

[zinn21]

Was she X rayed? What was the diagnosis? Upward fixation of the Patella? I would start with a radiograph. Eliminate lesions or chips etc. If it's previous mentioned rest an internal blister and conditioning that will strengthen the muscle surrounding the Patella are recommended.

I had one diagnosed with an upward fixation of the patella. We blistered and gave him some rest only to have lameness return after next work. I then x rayed and discovered OCD lesions in the stifle. I had them removed rested for 7 months, returned to training and has not taken a bad step since. X ray first always..

Cause can be genetic, conformational. I would suppose the track could be a factor. Sounds like you run and train at Arlington-a poly track. Synthetics have a yet undocumented knock for causing problems for horses behind.

[Tucumcari]

With the addition of synthetics, tibia fractures have become about as common as bucked shins. They come back very well. When the horse comes back into training and try going barefoot behind. It seems to be a very successful way to train and race on these surfaces

[Shammy Davis]

Tucumcari posted:

With the addition of synthetics, tibia fractures have become about as common as bucked shins. They come back very well. When the horse comes back into training and try going barefoot behind. It seems to be a very successful way to train and race on these surfaces

Has anyone come up with explanation for the increase in the lower leg issues on the new surfaces?

Removing the rear shoe alleviates the problem? Is there an explanation for this?

[Lisann]

Think horses with shoes have better traction. That's what I've heard, anyway. Since there is supposed to be more "grab" on synthetics, a slippery foot might be beneficial.

[smeehan]

We had a Rubiano filly with a tibial stress fracture 4 years ago when she was a 3 year old. To the best of my memory, she was on complete stall rest for 8 weeks followed by small paddock turnout for an additional month.

She came back sound and healthy and was a multiple winner. It happened on the Chicago circuit, but I believe Arlington was still dirt then. If given the proper time to heal, she has a great chance of coming back and being fine.

[Tucumcari]

The lack of slide has a big effect. A hoof seems to be more able to slide than a shod hoof.