
RF Basal Sesamoid Bone Fracture and Medial Distal Oblique Sesamoid Ligament Rehabilitation
- Case Study 17
Right Fore (RF) basal sesamoid bone fracture in January 2025 following a field injury.
Patient Profile
Age: 2 year old
Ridden History: Prospective Dressage Horse
Date of Injury: January 2025
A 2-year-old dressage prospect sustained a right fore (RF) basal sesamoid bone fracture in January 2025 following a field injury. The horse completed 14 weeks of stall rest before beginning EqueStride rehabilitation on 23.04.2025. Follow-up imaging later identified involvement of the medial distal oblique sesamoidean ligament (MDOSL), which appeared hypoechoic and damaged on ultrasound examination.
At the start of rehabilitation:
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The horse was sound at walk
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No significant swelling was present
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Fetlock posture remained upright without hyperextension
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Exercise was limited to stable support and short periods of controlled walking
Ultrasound and radiographic monitoring showed:
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Progressive fracture healing
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Improvement in the MDOSL lesion over time
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Excellent healing by September 2025
Rehabilitation progressed gradually through:
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Controlled hand walking under sedation
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Introduction of small paddock turnout with support
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Progressive increase in turnout duration
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Introduction of trot work and later lunging exercises
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Controlled canter introduction during later rehabilitation phases
Throughout rehabilitation:
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The horse remained consistently sound at walk
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Became sound at trot while wearing EqueStride support
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No swelling or pain on palpation developed
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Fetlock stability remained excellent and upright
Outcome
After approximately six months of EqueStride-supported rehabilitation:
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The fracture and associated ligament injury showed excellent healing
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The horse successfully progressed to turnout, trot work, lunging, and controlled canter exercise
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Ultrasound scans confirmed excellent soft tissue repair, with excellent longitudinal fibre pattern
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A gradual withdrawal plan from EqueStride support was initiated following excellent clinical progress
