Forelimb suspensory injury

[ALO]

Hi all. My 14 year old gelding was slightly unlevel in front a few weeks ago, thought had a bruised foot as is barefoot, came sound after a few days, increased work and went lame again, vet called and has nerve blocked positive to suspensory area, due to the lack of heat/swelling he said is highly indicative of suspensory injury. Being scanned Thursday, currently in a small pen - does not box rest well. Vet seemed pretty positive with the right rehab should return to full work- was low level eventing. We are not new to rehab having sustained a fairly serious stifle injury when he was 6- wasn’t expected to recover but got there in the end with a lot of patience Any well wishes/suggestions welcome .

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Depending where it is and the severity there is a good chance of recovery. My Connie damaged his off fore suspensory a few years ago when he was 10. No heat or swelling and it was the most subtle lameness only visible on a soft surface but you know when something is wrong with your horse and after nerve blocking and ultrasound vet found a thickening but no holes. I sent him away to a rehab yard for three weeks where he had daily ice cold salt water treatment and shockwave therapy and he came back completely sound. We started walking in straight lines and he then went on to full recovery. He’s 15 now and lives an easy life due to hock arthritis but he’s never shown any lameness in front since.

 

[ycbm]

@Hallo2012 has one doing well after a strike injury and I've known several over the years including one of my own in 1983 come back fine from front suspensory strains.
.

 

[COldNag]

Ours had a suspensory injury just below the knee.
Took a year to get properly right, but he went on to do lots of hacking, XC, sponsored rides etc. We were just very careful not to do much jumping with tight turns. He was absolutely fine, abd is now happily retired .

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Keep us updated.

My YO had a gelding that did his front suspensory in the same leg twice and he stopped hunting last year at 27! Always looked sound. She just didn’t jump him.

 

[ALO]

Thabks for everyone’s replies. This all sounds a bit more positive. Need to wait for scans to see extent of damage. Luckily front legs are still insured!

 

[ALO]

Scans show lesion in check ligament, suspensory doesn’t look perfect but a lot better than expected so he thinks the main issue is the check. I don’t understand why there was no heat or swelling though as I thought you always get that with check ligament injuries from past experience?Suggested stem cell if he can get it (apparently hard to obtain at moment) or PRP if not, shock wave every 2 weeks for the next 6 weeks, pen rest til re scan at 6 weeks. I’m hosing twice a day. Do u think I should be doing anything else? Are the ice boots worth a go? Al a bit stressful but grateful he’s not completely done his suspensory as initially thought

 

[ycbm]

Check ligament is probably the least worst option. I've personally never known one not come right with no further issues, had one of my own and seen numerous others.