Fetlock operations

[dixie]

I was wondering if anyone on here has had any experiences of this type of operation, the cost and the post op care and if it worked ! Its called something like arithoscopy (but could be completely different!)

My boy, who I bred, has been lame for a year now and was diagnosed with SI problems and arthritis in his fetlock joint. He's had all the appropriate injections (Cartraphen?sp) and long term rest and he no better at all.

My vet said the only other option was for this operation & I have always backed away from this idea until now . I have a bit spare on my insurance and 8 weeks before the year is up - so its now or never.

Any feedback would be brilliant.

 

[Halfstep]

My gelding had an arthroscopy on his hock joint a few weeks ago. The operation itself was very straightforward. He was in the veterinary hospital for around five days, but was bright and happy the whole time. He had stitches where the arthroscope went in, but the incision was very tiny and will not scar. Was bandaged and on box rest for a fortnight, now the bandages are off and he is due to start walking next week. He's not sore on it at all.

So in all, if you have a good vet, get the operation done. It can really help.

 

[dixie]

Do you know yet how much it cost. the vet said between £1500 and £2000 but the vet nurse said £2500. Makes a big differnce to me as my insurance limit is getting close.

good news about the outcome of your operation though, its very encouraging.

 

[Halfstep]

Operation around £1500, but with aftercare and xrays, etc, probably closer to £2500. Haven't had the bill yet LOL!

 

[dixie]

Thanks - so could be anything really & he would need to go somewhere for the box rest as well!

Good luck with the walking !

 

[clairencappelli]

My horse had an arthroscopy on her fetlock last july.

She had massive cartledge trauma.

She was in for a week but had some comprication with infection from the site of the iv line and got an abcess.

Recovery depends on the problem but my horse had solid box rest for 3 months after only with short ascedning walking from week 6 and after 3 months was aloowe dout into a pen which increaded in size for a month and then had 2 months out in the field resting.

She came back into work in jan and is ging to be a dressage pony all the time her leg fares well.

The op cost me 2500.00 ( insured tho ). I had a specialist surgeon called in and his bill was 800.00 and the actual op with all the bits of equipment/drugs they bill you for ( all 3 pages of it!!!! ) was 1700.00 and this inc all the drugs etc for coming home and the injections which i had to give her myself.

I have been throught this and know how hard it is ( mine is a tb ) so if i can be of any further help free free to ask.

I have loads of pictures on her leg post op if you want to see them.

 

[dixie]

Thanks, nice to hear from someone who has gone a long way down the process. Sounds like its been a success for you even though it was a massive cartilidge trauma, so there is some hope.

I'm a bit worried about the box rest as the vets said 2 weeks but now have confirmed its 2 weeks complete rest plus a further 6 weeks where he is allowed out for walking. But your experience is much more box rest. This is my biggest problem, not having facilties for box rest and my insurance money running out & therefore I cannot afford to send him away on full livery long term. I'm sure I'll sort something out.

I'll think I'll pass on the photos for the moment thanks.

 

[clairencappelli]

If they are going in to find out excactly what damge there is the op itself will be the only way of knowing just how much rest they need. Im assuming that the arthrocopy is in investagtive procudure?

My horse was only 1/10th lame so not much was expected but she must have a very hgh pain threshold. The damage they found was quite bad and only then will you find out how much rest your horses needs. It might be more than first thought like it was for me.

Post op your horse will most likey have a robert jones pressure bandge and this was on for 10 days post op.

When the walking starts they will still need to be on box rest and i was only allowed to starts with 5 mins a day for the first week, 10 mins the next week etc etc.

Pics are not gorey dont worry they are just quite interesting

 

[dixie]

In that case - fire away with the pictures please !

My horse is very very lame - I would say about 4/10ths. He was only about 1/10 earlier this month but deteriorated when I began a lunging programme.

He was x-rayed last April and again August and not a great deal showed up so yes the arthricopsy is investigative & his last chance to get better. Otherwise he will be an expensive and large pet probably on a lot of bute(he's 17hh !)

 

[clairencappelli]

Dont give up hope i have been where you are and i came out the other side.

I know what you mean with insurance and time and money running out. I was lucky to get the op done after 3 months of scans, xrays, joint injections and joint fluid testing etc.

I wouldnt go by 2 weeks box rest as that doesnt seem to me to be enough. The reality is untill they have been in the joint they wont know how much damage there is and it could be substanually more box rest than they are saying now.

I will pm you the pictures of my horse post op and some more details.

I will tell you tho your case sounds identical to mine in many aways its scarey!