Track Leg Problems
Oct 15, 2009 7:24:25 GMT 10
Post by Tom Meulman on Oct 15, 2009 7:24:25 GMT 10
There are various injuries that cause a trackleg and unfortunately in some instances the muscle damage is such that it can be extremely difficult to completely rectify the problem fully.
The most common injuries are:
LEFT HIP MUSCLE: This muscle is an adductor; therefore it holds the hind limb in the correct position while other muscles move the limb forward and backwards.
This muscle tends to damage severely in lower part, and when that has occurred the top section then tends to cramp, as the muscle is no longer strong enough to control the limb correctly, and this cramping has the effect of rotating the knee inwards.
Unfortunately this injury is difficult to diagnose as by the time it gets to this stage there is no pain to be found in the hip muscle, simply the fact that the muscle does not have the size and consistency it should have.
Treatment or this injury consist of both massage and ultrasound treatment to the whole of the muscle, followed by muscle contractor treatment to both the upper and lower sections in an attempt to make the muscle fully functional again.
LEFT SHOULDER: The centre section of the Triceps in this shoulder, due to the direction the dogs run in, is inclined to take more pressure than the same area on the right shoulder. Therefore it is inclined to tighten further while negotiating the turns of the track and this has the effect of pulling the elbow outwards.
Again diagnosis is not clear cut as there is little pain to be found other than the fact this section of the muscle is much harder upon palpitation than the surrounding muscle tissue.
Treatment consists of ultrasound and massage.
LEFT FOOT & WRIST: In younger greyhounds an undiagnosed bone problem to the rail side metacarpal will make them turn the foot edgeways in an attempt to take the pressure of the sore metacarpal, and this will turn the elbow outwards.
A similar problem occurs with older greyhounds suffering damage to the rail toe sesamoid, as this will also make them rotate the foot in an attempt to lessen the pain while negotiating a turn.
Treatment depends on the severity of the problem found.
These are the most common reasons for a chronic trackleg problem, and quite often the problem is not a single injury but more often a combination of two or more, other contributing reasons may be a severe alignment problem to the upper spine or even chronic compression in and around the lower spine and or sciatica.
As far as treating the actual track leg itself, if there is fluid it needs to be drained of ASAP.
Injecting a small amount (1/10 of 1 ml) of some type of Cortisone such as Voren into the area will help in reducing the inflammation, keeping in mind that all Corticosteroids will result in a positive swab and withholding time is at least 7 days.
A pressure bandage is then placed over the track leg area and left in place for at least 48 hours.
If the dog is to race before fully fixing the cause of the track leg it would certainly be of an advantage to strap the area with 2 inch adhesive tape and applying Vaseline to the tape as well as the outer point of the elbow.
Tom
The most common injuries are:
LEFT HIP MUSCLE: This muscle is an adductor; therefore it holds the hind limb in the correct position while other muscles move the limb forward and backwards.
This muscle tends to damage severely in lower part, and when that has occurred the top section then tends to cramp, as the muscle is no longer strong enough to control the limb correctly, and this cramping has the effect of rotating the knee inwards.
Unfortunately this injury is difficult to diagnose as by the time it gets to this stage there is no pain to be found in the hip muscle, simply the fact that the muscle does not have the size and consistency it should have.
Treatment or this injury consist of both massage and ultrasound treatment to the whole of the muscle, followed by muscle contractor treatment to both the upper and lower sections in an attempt to make the muscle fully functional again.
LEFT SHOULDER: The centre section of the Triceps in this shoulder, due to the direction the dogs run in, is inclined to take more pressure than the same area on the right shoulder. Therefore it is inclined to tighten further while negotiating the turns of the track and this has the effect of pulling the elbow outwards.
Again diagnosis is not clear cut as there is little pain to be found other than the fact this section of the muscle is much harder upon palpitation than the surrounding muscle tissue.
Treatment consists of ultrasound and massage.
LEFT FOOT & WRIST: In younger greyhounds an undiagnosed bone problem to the rail side metacarpal will make them turn the foot edgeways in an attempt to take the pressure of the sore metacarpal, and this will turn the elbow outwards.
A similar problem occurs with older greyhounds suffering damage to the rail toe sesamoid, as this will also make them rotate the foot in an attempt to lessen the pain while negotiating a turn.
Treatment depends on the severity of the problem found.
These are the most common reasons for a chronic trackleg problem, and quite often the problem is not a single injury but more often a combination of two or more, other contributing reasons may be a severe alignment problem to the upper spine or even chronic compression in and around the lower spine and or sciatica.
As far as treating the actual track leg itself, if there is fluid it needs to be drained of ASAP.
Injecting a small amount (1/10 of 1 ml) of some type of Cortisone such as Voren into the area will help in reducing the inflammation, keeping in mind that all Corticosteroids will result in a positive swab and withholding time is at least 7 days.
A pressure bandage is then placed over the track leg area and left in place for at least 48 hours.
If the dog is to race before fully fixing the cause of the track leg it would certainly be of an advantage to strap the area with 2 inch adhesive tape and applying Vaseline to the tape as well as the outer point of the elbow.
Tom
