Synovial Seal of Gastrocnemius Tendon Sheath
DIAGNOSIS: Synovial Seal of Gastrocnemius Tendon Sheath with Compensatory Sacroiliac Joint Inflammation
BACKGROUND: 3 months prior to treatment commencing, Norman experienced significant tarsal inflammation. The vet attended and did an ultrasound scan. No note of any pathology to tarsal joint, but was diagnosed with synovial seal of gastrocnemius tendon sheath. Norman was treated with steroid medication into his sacroiliac joint (2mo ago), and drained and steroid medicated tendon sheath 3.5 weeks prior to my visit. At this point, the tarsal joint had refilled back to its previous state prior to medication and draining and prognosis for repair was poor. The only option provided was for Norman to continue ridden work until a point whereby another treatment option may become suitable. Enter Vet Physio Phyle and INDIBA Radiofrequency!
OWNERS REVIEW:
I contacted Calli at Vet Physio Phyle following my horse (Norman) being diagnosed with a condition called Synovial Seal of the Gastrocnemious Tendon. Norman’s right hock had swollen to over double the size. I called my Vet who scanned the joint and recommended an initial period of field rest as he was sound, however after two weeks the swelling was still the same. His next option was to drain the joint and injected steroid into the area. The swelling immediately reduced however in just three weeks the swelling returned. Following a further consultation with my vet (who had also spoken with fellow colleagues and surgeons on the matter), he advised that due to Norman not being lame it would be safer to continue to ride and see what might happen, he wanted to avoid going down the surgery route straight away as the area was high risk and operating could have detrimental effect. I immediately started to look at alternative therapies.
I found Calli and INDIBA through a friend of mine that had great success when her horse that sustained an injury. I called Calli and left a message. She immediately called me back and we chatted everything through. She arranged an initial appointment/assessment where she started by watching Norman move and took comprehensive videos and pictures, she discussed at length a plan of action and also gave me ridden and in-hand exercises that would help to keep the joint mobile. Calli recommended an initial 6 week course of INDIBA treatment twice weekly and then we would review. By week 6 we were seeing consistent improvements. The original swelling which was rock hard had softened significantly and the swelling was also noticeably reducing. Calli continued to treat him twice weekly for a further 4 weeks and as each week went by we kept noticing improvements in the size of the swelling until it was almost back to its normal size.
As Norman was doing so well, Calli decided that it was time to reduce the frequency of the treatment to see how the hock faired. To be honest this absolutely petrified me as Norman was doing so well, the swelling was now minor and we were back enjoying hacking and light schooling, I was scared we would go backwards. Calli put my mind at rest completely, saying that all I needed to do was call and she would be back. We continued stretching out each appointment and he now has a treatment once every 8 weeks and we have started to alternate a physiotherapy session once a month and INDIBA the next month. Calli also helped me create a rehab/fitness plan for Norman which has helped to keep us on track, so we are now working at Novice/Elementary work at home.
INDIBA is AMAZING!! (Yes capital letters are required!), it has changed Norman’s life for the better. Calli also AMAZING!!, she is so wonderful with the horses, treating them with kindness and compassion. She has been my sounding board, an Agony Aunt, my therapist and a life coach! She will always be a part of Normans life and we am so blimmin lucky to have her.
It has been a real pleasure to be a part of Charlotte and Norman's path to recovery, and to see them supersede the level of training they were previously at is just the icing on the already beautiful cake!
