From Injury to Agility: Fulmine’s Story of Tendon Healing
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This clinical case study focuses on an 11-year-old Sella Italiano horse named Fulmine, which was diagnosed with a superficial flexor tendon injury in its right forelimb. The diagnosis was supported by a physical examination that revealed lameness, oedema, heat, and pain, as well as an ultrasound examination that showed hypoechoic areas, oedema, and a loss of parallelism in the tendon fibers. The treatment protocol involved MLS® Laser Therapy using an M-VET device and a short course of systemic NSAIDs. After 60 days of treatment, a follow-up ultrasound confirmed a significant improvement, with the tendon’s fibers becoming compact and homogeneous and its overall structure returning to normal.
Species: Horse | Breed: Sella Italiano | Gender: Female | Age: 11 | Name: Fulmine
Clinical Case
This case study is focused on an 11-year-old Sella Italiano mare named Fulmine, who presented to the clinic with a superficial flexor tendon injury in her right forelimb. The horse’s owner observed a mild deformation of the tendon, and a clinical examination The examination revealed moderate oedema, noticeable heat, and a painful reaction upon palpation in the metacarpal region. The diagnosis was further supported by a grade 2/5 lameness when trotting, and an ultrasound examination provided a definitive diagnosis by showing clear signs of internal damage, including hypoechoic areas and a loss of parallelism in the tendon’s fibers. Confirming the extent of the injury and developing an appropriate treatment plan required this detailed diagnostic process.
The therapeutic protocol was carefully tailored to the horse’s needs, combining systemic and advanced local treatments. For five days, Fulmine was given systemic NSAIDs to help manage pain and inflammation. The primary and most intensive part of her therapy, however, was MLS Laser Therapy using an M-VET device. The treatment began with specific programs for “oedema” and “acute tendinitis”, administered multiple times a week to actively reduce swelling and promote initial healing. As her condition improved, the protocol was adjusted to focus on “chronic tendinitis” points with a less frequent schedule over the next month. This diligent, multi-week treatment resulted in a remarkable recovery. After 60 days, a final ultrasound confirmed that the tendon was completely restored; its fibers were compact and homogeneous, and its shape, volume, and structural parallelism had returned to normal.
Clinical Examination
– Moderate oedema, heat, and pain upon palpation in the metacarpal region
– Grade 2/5 lameness during trotting
– Ultrasound confirmed hypoechoic areas, oedema, and fiber disorganization
Physical medicine and rehabilitation protocol
– Systemic NSAIDs for 5 days to control pain and inflammation
– MLS® Laser Therapy (M-VET device):
– “Oedema” and “Acute tendinitis” programs multiple times per week
– Transitioned to “Chronic tendinitis” with reduced session frequency
– Therapy adapted progressively to healing response
Results
– Rapid reduction in swelling and pain during early sessions
– Tendon fibers reorganized progressively
– Final ultrasound after 60 days confirmed complete recovery: compact, homogeneous, parallel fibers
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