Bilateral Hind PSD

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Cripple101

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Hi,

So I posted a few weeks back about my 5 year old horse's sudden odd action behind, and he's now been diagnosed with PSD in both hinds. Ultrasound showed only minor swelling in both and very slight fibre disruption in the left hind. He's had a cortisone shot into his left hind and had his first shockwave. He'll have another 2 shockwaves over the next 4 weeks before we re-evaluate and see where we're at. Vet has said not to discount the surgery regardless as we don't know what has caused it, so we don't know how likely it is to recur.

So I have millions of questions, so I'll start with a few year:

What has your experience with bilateral hind PSD been - all stories wanted!

Di you find another issue that had caused the PSD - if so, what was it?

For those that have had shockwave only - how far out are you from treatment, and what's the current situation with your horses? Has it recurred at all?

For those who had the surgery - how far out are you, and what made you decide to go for the surgery? Have you had any complications or issues since? Also, how much did the surgery cost?

Also with the surgery - does anyone know if the nerve grows back, or if there's a 'shelf life' to this sort of surgery?

He's also barefoot but the vet has suggested I put four shoes with bars behind to support his weak hind heels - any opinions on this? I'd rather keep him barefoot if possible but I'm open to suggestions.

Thank you for any help!
 
I'm sorry to hear your story, and I'm afraid I know nothing of PSD. However, putting shoes on to 'support a weak heel' seems daft to me. Without the shoe his hoof stands on the ground, supported all round. With a shoe the hoof stands on a strip of metal which in turn is supported by the ground. A shoe is never going to strengthen a week heel. It may encourage contraction of the heels and /or under-running.
I've no idea how long your horse has been barefoot or the skill /experience level of whoever trims him, but I would consider a second opinion from a well recommended hoof specialist. And a read through of the Rockley Farm material.

Good luck!

eta the weak heels MAY be a symptom of his PSD - pain leading to a reluctance to heel land and thus leading to underevelopment of his heels.
Conversely, perhaps it could be the reverse? Pain in his heels - unknown cause - causing incorrect toe landing leading to strain and thus to PSD?
 
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Yes that was very much my thinking regarding the shoes - doesn't make any sense to me biomechanically. He's 5 years old and has never had shoes on. His heels don't look particularly week anyway, but I'm no expert. I have sent an email through to Rockley to see their experiences with PSD and if they have any advice regarding his feet. He's trimmed by my farrier who initially advised me to keep him barefoot to help manage his slightly boxy fore, and since he's got good strong feet anyway, he didn't see the need to put them on. Have also had a chat to a barefoot trimmer who comes onto the yard (one who has done work with and is recommended by Rockley), and he was impressed by my farriers work and said to continue as we were. He's out to the yard next week though so going to ask him to have a quick look and get his opinion.

He still looks to be landing heel first but he's clearly landing a bit different to how he used to as he's developed a bit of a flare to both hinds which were never there previously. Loads to think about anyway!
 
Here's my experience, i'll do my best to answer your questions from my perspective.

My horse was diagnosed in December after around a year of issues - recurring ulcers & hock arthritis and then the PSD. Blocked positively to the suspensories so assumed cause of lameness. He had had a bone scan in January of the same year and nothing but hocks showed up so assumed the PSD was either cause by the arthritis or his poor conformation behind. Did wonder if there were some other issues (stifles, KS, SI etc) but was bound by insurance to treat what was in front of us so decided the op was the best route as he was a good candidate and a long period of box rest was not ideal. I can't remember exact costs but think it came to around £3500 including diagnostics, the op, some foot balance x-rays, bandage changes etc etc. The op was successful in a sense that it removed the suspensory lameness but about 2 weeks into rehab work (walking 10 mins per day) he went lame. Vet called back out and suspected stifle problem. Gave him a bit of time but kept getting worse so made the decision to PTS as wouldn't put him through any more investigations.

IHe was barefoot too with issues in his hind feet. I tried shoeing but it was clear it wasn't making a difference and he was throwing shoes for fun so took them off. It's a bit chicken and egg with the feet!

Things I would recommend/would have done differently:

1. Get some foot balance x-rays if you haven't already - all 4 feet if possible so you know what you are working with. He might be compensating behind if there is something going on in front. I had them done and it meant I could rule out anything conformationally in his f
2. Rule out everything before the surgery - I wish I had done this, I suspect the outcome of PTS would have been the same but I might have been able to save him the stress of a GA and the stay away from home.
3. Join the FB group - tonnes of really good stories, success and not but they are a really friendly bunch!

Hope your horse comes sound!
 
Not the same but mine has recently stuffed a collateral ligament in his hock. Vets were keen for remedial shoeing with a wider outside edge to provide support. My horse is 18 and has never had a set of shoes on. I went straight to my farrier who told me the slight benefit of remedial shoes would not outweigh the potential damage to the overall balance for just putting shoes on short term. You put shoes on to are then opening up to potential other muscle and joint issues. Go with your gut. I decided to to leave him be. He's now out, turned away for the summer and, so far, is doing well.

Good luck.
 
Sorry to hear about your horse emfen! Yes I'm going to speak to the vet at the next shockwave about ruling out any other issues...he's so young I need to give him the best chance here.

Yes I'm on the FB group - getting lots of interested info off there, and equally lots of opposing views! It's so confusing knowing what to do for the best.

Thank you!
 
Yeah that's what I'm worried about. And to me the hind heels don't look that weak, and farrier hasn't been concerned about it. My gut says no shoes personally, but we'll see. Hope your horse continues to do well!

Thank you
 
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