July – August 2023
Vellie, a sport horse based in Florida, USA, faced an injury in July/August 2023, where he was diagnosed with existing fetlock osteoarthritis. By the end of August Vellie was experiencing acute-on-chronic injury to the lateral proximal suspensory ligament of the left front with spiral core lesion, marginal tears and fetlock drop. The owner, being a vet herself, was conservatively managing his pain and inflammation.
September 2023
A treatment plan was initiated for Vellie. This included the use of Renovo, shockwave therapy, and laser therapy. These interventions aimed to reduce pain and inflammation and promote healing of the damaged ligament..
October 2023
October was a period of pasture rest for Vellie.
November 2023
By November, Vellie was ready to get back into a structured program, continuing with ongoing laser and shockwave therapy. The end of November marked a significant step in his rehabilitation process as he was measured for a Dynamic Support System (DSS) device.
December 2023
Vellie began acclimating to the DSS boot.
Jan 9th 2024:
Vellie underwent his first UTC assessment. During this period, he was doing 15-minute walks under saddle while wearing the DSS boot, which played a crucial role in his rehabilitation.
March 3rd 2024
A follow up UTC assessment was done. The assessments were critical in understanding the extent of fiber disruption in his ligament and planning subsequent management strategies.
April 16th 2024:
Another UTC assessment was done, showed continued progress in Vellie’s rehabilitation, further guiding the treatment and management plan.
May 14th 2024
An ultrasound revealed remarkable improvements. The lesions had resolved, and although the ligament remained enlarged, there was significant improvement in fiber alignment.
“From my personal view; identifying what exactly we were dealing with regarding the extent and type of fibre disruption, monitoring progress and planning management through UTC has been immensely helpful and reassuring, it has been a valuable tool and guide in this process.”
“The improvement both clinically and on ultrasound is remarkable, and I have found that the DSS device has been instrumental in achieving this. It also holds significant value for me in having confidence and peace of mind that Vellie is supported when he is ridden, so much so that I plan to use it ongoing despite having completed his rehabilitation process.”
- Dr. Roxy Leyshon (owner of Vellie)