Horrible fracture (Beware, GRAPHIC) -- what can I do?

Teresa wrote:

Lol, Cindy!
I'll need the scooter, a spare pair of arms, two pairs of falconer's gloves, full body armour and a biker's helmet, (Now that would be a sight to behold! ) as every time he goes to the vet's he comes back more aggressive. Today was no exception! :eek:

Teresa, it is wonderful that Hercules is recovering so well.
Once you are finished with him, maybe you could start rescuing less dangerous critters like lions, tigers, bears... LOL

plamenh wrote:

Teresa, it is wonderful that Hercules is recovering so well.
Once you are finished with him, maybe you could start rescuing less dangerous critters like lions, tigers, bears... LOL

Brilliant update, it just keeps getting better for Hercules.

Janet

plamenh wrote:

Teresa, it is wonderful that Hercules is recovering so well.
Once you are finished with him, maybe you could start rescuing less dangerous critters like lions, tigers, bears... LOL

You can say that again! See for yourself:
https://s333.photobucket.com/albums/m381/Skbllz/Pigeons/Hercules/?action=view&current=DSCNB4064.flv

Excellent :)

Hercules in action... :Rolling eyes: :eek: :For Shame:

https://s333.photobucket.com/albums/m381/Skbllz/Pigeons/Hercules/?action=view&current=DSCNB4211-Killer2.flv

https://s333.photobucket.com/albums/m381/Skbllz/Pigeons/Hercules/?action=view&current=DSCNB4213.flv

Yep! I'd say Hercules is feeling much better.

Has he tested his leg yet by putting a little pressure on it?

He's not putting any weight on that leg at all. He doesn't even usually try to hold it close to the vertical.

It is worrying, and I've wondered if the prolonged treatment and immobilisation could have made his leg go 'splayed'. But I believe Jay said that splayed legs have to be corrected when pigeons are very young, or there's no hope. So hopefully, an adult's leg shouldn't be permanently affected by being held at an unnatural angle for a long time. I've seen him move the toes a little, so he should feel them.

The vet said I should start giving him physiotherapy, and I massage his leg every day, but I can't bring myself to manipulate the joints, as to my untrained eye the pin that's still in his leg seemed to reach the joints at both ends, and well, it doesn't bear thinking about the consequences!

I shot a video of him hopping about the floor:

https://s333.photobucket.com/albums/m381/Skbllz/Pigeons/Hercules/?action=view&current=DSCNB4298.flv

On a lighter note, he had a bath and thoroughly enjoyed it.

At first, while I was supporting him, he wanted nothing to do with it, so I let go and quickly moved to the corner of the room. In a few seconds he was investigating the water, and then proceeded to splash about and have fun.
He was able to get out quite easily, with just a couple of beats of his strong wings.
Here he is looking like a punk eagle:



I'd left his basket on the floor, close to the radiator, and true enough his independentness trotted right in and put himself to bed when he was good and ready!

Teresa wrote:

He's not putting any weight on that leg at all. He doesn't even usually try to hold it close to the vertical.

It is worrying, and I've wondered if the prolonged treatment and immobilisation could have made his leg go 'splayed'. But I believe Jay said that splayed legs have to be corrected when pigeons are very young, or there's no hope. So hopefully, an adult's leg shouldn't be permanently affected by being held at an unnatural angle for a long time. I've seen him move the toes a little, so he should feel them.

The vet said I should start giving him physiotherapy, and I massage his leg every day, but I can't bring myself to manipulate the joints, as to my untrained eye the pin that's still in his leg seemed to reach the joints at both ends, and well, it doesn't bear thinking about the consequences!

I shot a video of him hopping about the floor:

[url=https://s333.photobucket.com/albums/m381/Skbllz/Pigeons/Hercules/?action=view¤t=DSCNB4298.flv

https://s333.photobucket.com/albums/m381/Skbllz/Pigeons/Hercules/?action=view¤t=DSCNB4298.flv[/quote[/url]]


That would make me nervous/scared as well. Would the vet show you what he wants you to do? Maybe that would make you feel more confident.
He's a trooper...

I do know in humans, if a limb is immobile for a good amount of time it can (and usually does) atrophy to some extent. The physiotherapy may well help stimulate the muscle.
I also agree with you about being apprehensive. As Charis mentioned, perhaps the vet can instruct you as to exactly how to do this.

Bless you both.

Please keep us posted.

Yes, I need to have a word with the surgeon. The recommendation for physio came from the avian vet.
Hercules can move the leg, and at least three toes of that leg, but he makes no attempt to bend it at the joints. Knowing what a daredevil he is, if it was doable he'd do it, so I'd rather err on the side of caution for now.

Teresa wrote:

Yes, I need to have a word with the surgeon. The recommendation for physio came from the avian vet.
Hercules can move the leg, and at least three toes of that leg, but he makes no attempt to bend it at the joints. Knowing what a daredevil he is, if it was doable he'd do it, so I'd rather err on the side of caution for now.

I'm wondering if they develop adhesions like humans sometimes do after a surgery where the joint hasn't been worked for a while.

Oh dear, I hope not!
I definitely need to talk to the surgeon.

Just a thought since he's not bending the leg.
A chat with the surgeon would be a good idea.

I'm still worried about Hercules's leg, even after speaking with the vet.
Hercules id due to have another X-ray in two weeks and, if all is well, the remaining pin will be removed. But in the meanwhile I had doubts about his physio, how much to try and move his joints and how to do it. Basically the advice was to continue doing what I've been doing, but it worries me that he doesn't try to put his leg down at all, and his toes don't come forward, though he can move them a bit.
The vet tentatively mentioned that people sometimes get a kind of arthritis after surgery, when joints are immobilised for a very long time... I hope that's not the case! He fought so hard to survive, and everybody fought so hard to save his leg, that it would be heartbreaking if he never got to use it.

I don't know if it would work but ask the vet about massaging DMSO on the leg.

I wonder if the remaining pin is giving him some discomfort to the point of not wanting to put pressure on the leg.

I hope the bit about arthritis isn't the case, but it could be I suppose.
I don't think that would deter him from ever using his leg though.
Special positive thought and get well wishes continue to be sent your way.

Matilda wrote:

I don't know if it would work but ask the vet about massaging DMSO on the leg.

Can't get it here, and it's one of the substances that cannot, by law, be sent by air mail, as it is also a solvent and therefore flammable.

Fancyfeathers wrote:

I wonder if the remaining pin is giving him some discomfort to the point of not wanting to put pressure on the leg.

I hope the bit about arthritis isn't the case, but it could be I suppose.
I don't think that would deter him from ever using his leg though.
Special positive thought and get well wishes continue to be sent your way.

I think you're exactly right. When I saw the X-ray, the pin seemed to be touching the knee joint. With time it may have moved even further down, so there's NO WAY I would try to make him bend that knee until the pin comes off. I've just concentrated on massaging his leg (which appears to have a small bony growth to the side anyway) and trying to get him to move his toes.
His back toe is curled all the time, but he can curl the others around my finger. He just doesn't seem able to pull them up, they're held almost parallel to the leg.

Thank you for your continued good wishes for him. I know he's an aggressive, authoritarian ratbag, but I love him to bits!

LAST OPERATION SHOULD BE TOMORROW if the X-ray looks good. I'm excited, and worried, and all sorts of things. I'll post the news as soon as I have them.

Will be thinking positive thoughts that all goes well tomorrow.

Me too.

Thank you both!

Oh Teresa, I keep everything that I have got crossed including my toes - if I fall over my feet and break my leg can I send you the invoice????????

pigeonwriter wrote:

Oh Teresa, I keep everything that I have got crossed including my toes - if I fall over my feet and break my leg can I send you the invoice????????