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weak L7
Dec 10, 2014 16:31:25 GMT 10
Post by Ricky on Dec 10, 2014 16:31:25 GMT 10
Hi Tom I have an 18 month old dog diagnosed with a weak L7 by a reputable greyhound vet. He said the spine of the bone goes soft and thats why you get the sideways movement. The area has been injected with fibro vein and advised four weeks rest increased calcium supplement and bone radiol application. what are your thoughts on recovery in regards to racing career and treatment short and long term. trying to learn as much as I can about the injury. Thanks in advance Tom
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weak L7
Dec 11, 2014 6:39:56 GMT 10
Post by Tom Meulman on Dec 11, 2014 6:39:56 GMT 10
Hi Ricky,
The condition you describe occurs when the muscle tissue and ligaments surrounding the L7 are damaged and overstretched. This can occur due to a severe check on a bend on the track, or due to excessive free running in a yard where the dogs spins sharply at each end, over and over again. In some instances pups come out of a rearing facility with that type of injury.
Your Vet has undertaken the only viable treatment currently available, and has recommended the correct follow up treatment to overcome the injury. All you can do is avoid allowing the greyhound the type of exercise that could aggravate what is now a weakness in that area, such as free running or competitive running in a narrow yard.
The only other treatment that may further assist in stabilizing the area is muscle contractor or TENS treatment to both sides of the spine in between the pin bones and the L7. This improves the functionality of the muscle tissue, and reduces the chances of the injury reoccurring. Muscle contractor or TENS treatment would also be beneficial to both hip muscles, as the nerve supply to that muscle area can be affected by damage to the tissue surrounding the L7.
This injury when correctly managed should in no way affect future ability, or racing prospects.
Cheers,
Tom
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Post by Ricky on Jan 8, 2015 7:33:20 GMT 10
Hi Tom, the original symptoms of this dog were not be able to extend the right leg backwards and also bot being able to extend the right stifle after 5 weeks on the lead and 4 weeks since the treatment previously described, there is only slight improvment, I have been massaging and applying rapid gel to the L7 and hip area nightly for two weeks. I have read your post on spinal adjustments but do not feel comfortable as yet about doing the pelvic rotations. Does his back need to be adjusted or has there possibly been some damage done.
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weak L7
Jan 8, 2015 13:42:59 GMT 10
Post by Tom Meulman on Jan 8, 2015 13:42:59 GMT 10
Hi Ricky,
I'm sorry mate but I was not aware at the time that the greyhound was in pain upon extending a hind limb, and that the stifle was also painful when fully straightened. I wrongly assumed going by your post that the only thing wrong was a weakness in the tissue surrounding the L7.
The hind limb and stifle are very painful on extending when there is a misalignment in the L6, L7, S1 area due to a severe muscle spasm on one side of the spine, and unfortunately rest does not necessarily cure the problem.
The main thing I'm now concerned about is that the sclerosing injection may have locked that whole area in place out of alignment, and as such would not be easy to correct with basic manipulation.
From past experience once this has occurred it can take at least two treatment sessions with a considerable amount of very specific massage and manipulation, followed by one treatment after the next two runs behind the lure before the problem is likely to be resolved.
Unfortunately I'm not aware of anyone currently in any of the Australian States capable of doing this type of work on racing greyhounds.
Cheers,
Tom
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