Cutting nerve to suspensaries - will he event again?

Harrie123

Harrie123

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Hi guys

This probably isn't the best place to post this
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but the is lots of people looking in here...

I have been having some problems with my horse being a bit unlevel behind, so I took him to the vet, to find he has damaged both his hind suspensaries (sp???). (he is only 5, vets think is is due to the arena surface) Now the vets have scanned, X-Rayed etc and they have found a small amount of damage where the bone meets the ligament. It is a really small amount so he has been on restricted turn out with 10 mins walking twice a day for 8 weeks. The 8 weeks finished last week so I took him back to the vets.

Vet reckons he has gone from being 4 10ths lame to 3 10ths lame which is not enough of an improvement, the scan has improved a little but not enough. Vet has given him 1 month ridden 20 mins twice a day. But he doubts this will make much difference
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, but it is worth a try at the other option is surgery, cutting the nerve to the top part of the tendon. Vet thinks after this he will be perfectly normal and return to normal work.

Vet Reckons this is a common procedure, quite safe and normal. I am not sure, I have heard very little about it. I am not completely sure of the implications either.

Have any of you guys heard of this or had it done? Will he event again (90, 100)?
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Any info greatly appreciated!!!!!
 
I have a horse with a damaged suspensory and was recommended shockwave treatment and walking exercise. So far this is going well, but has taken a longer time than expected as he has been incredibly stiff due to the lameness and has also needed a lot of physiotherapy on his back. We are now getting him back to fitness and I expect the whole process will take about a year.

I did consider the op earlier on in the process and looked into it at the time - I'd still do this if necessary. The vets estimate a 40% recovery rate to full work (including eventing) with shockwave and conservative care, and 70% if you have the op. It should make him sound - the vets said that in the cases where it does not, it is more likely to be mis diagnosis of the original problem than the op failing. Apparently you should 'technically' not event or compete a horse that has been denerved, although in practice there is no way of checking and you could do so. I believe many horses do go on to event after the operation.
 
Sorry I completely forgot about the shock wave, he has had 3 sessions so far.

He has been nerve blocked in the top of his ligiment and went completely sound, indication the suspensary is the problem.

Vets will nerve block again after this month, to make sure it isn't something else or learnt behaviour.
 
Hi, if you put PSD ( Proximal suspensory desmitis ) into the search part you will find lots of discussion re shockwave and surgery. My 10 year mare has had both and is still not sound but she is the exception and I am beginning to think that something else is going on.

5 is very young though to have this kind of injury. However the results from the surgery Neurectomy and Faciotomy are very good with I believe over 80% or horses returning to full work but don't quote me on this.

Good luck with your gelding. The shockwave did nothing for mine and just used up more of my Insurance money.
 
Mines been turned away for 8 months (only done one so far & I am climbing the walls!) following a year of different treatments & controlled work - he did the same as yours but in the front leg & damaged the ligament where it attaches to the back of the knee. He had 4* shockwave, 6*adequan, steriods, 3*tildron & is now about 1/10th lame so not hopping but enough for it to be noticable. The op wasn't recommended for him I think its more dangerous on forelegs?? Another horse on our yard had both back legs done as a 4yo and has been sound and in full work since, jumping round Newcomer etc...
I guess 8 weeks isn't very long for an injury like this maybe give it some more time? The Tildron helped mine loads maybe check that out with your vet? Otherwise rest rest rest!
I've invested in Sky Movies to get me through the next 7 months!!!
 
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