Page 312 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse
P. 312
VetBooks.ir
Figure 7.4 Horse having hydrotherapy: the leg wraps, with circulating cold water, are attached to a refrigeration unit
Other treatments that may be considered at this stage include the following:
• A course of intramuscular injections of polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) to
reduce inflammation and encourage collagen synthesis has been popular in the past. At
the time of writing this medication is no longer available in the UK and can only be
obtained with a Special Import Licence.
• Topical application of dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) to reduce the oedema.
• Tendon splitting is occasionally performed to release trapped fluid, increase the blood
supply and speed healing of small core lesions.
• Desmotomy (cutting) of the proximal check or accessory ligament of the SDFT. This
ligament attaches to the lower part of the radius on the medial side. The theory is that
cutting this ligament allows the muscle belly of the SDFT to take some of the strain and
