Sammy**
Member
My mare has had this op at Rossdales today - anyone else had this done? Has the horse returned back to full work (I SJ) and what was the re-hab process?
Has any one had a horse de-nerved for suspensory?
- Thread starter Sammy**
- Start date
Fairynuff
Well-Known Member
Never heard of it being done for a susp. Ive always seen it being done for navicular and it works well (for a while). M.
Hedgewitch13
Well-Known Member
No experience of this but it does worry me slightly that if anything else happened to that area you wouldn't know as the horse has been de-nerved (other than outward physical signs). But as it was recommended for your mare it must be an ok procedure.
AmyMay
Situation normal
I know of two horses that have had this done. Neither outcome was hugely successful I'm afraid.
debsflo
Well-Known Member
my warmblood mare had this done on both suspensory ligaments by andy bathe at rossdales approx 2 and a half years ago, she also had 3 shockwave therapy. she was on box rest for 2 weeks rescanned ,2 weeks box restwith15 mins walk in hand for 2 weeks,then 2 months turn out in small paddock and back for rescan which was succesful. then we started very gradual ridden work. i have been really cautious and always given her longer than advised and chosen not to jump her, however she has been fine scince and i have read lots of very good results with horses that return to competition. my horse had back pain and lots of problems as she had clearly been srugglind but is so good natured it wasnt obvios until she started bucking . good luck rosssdales have a good reputation would love to know how you get on
foraday
Well-Known Member
As debsflo says Andy at Rossdales has perfected this operation.
Many horses return to normal work no problems. Why not talk to Andy and ask for his opinion!
Many horses return to normal work no problems. Why not talk to Andy and ask for his opinion!
Tamski
Well-Known Member
My horse has just been diagnosed with hind leg suspensory problems. He's at Rossdales now. They've given me the option of surgery and I think I'm going to go for it. The success rate is about 70% but there are obviously risks with the GA as well.
My friend's horse has also had the op done and it was successful.
It's a gamble but so is everything! Here's hoping it all works out ok for everyone.
My friend's horse has also had the op done and it was successful.
It's a gamble but so is everything! Here's hoping it all works out ok for everyone.
Alibear
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
No experience of this but it does worry me slightly that if anything else happened to that area you wouldn't know as the horse has been de-nerved (other than outward physical signs). But as it was recommended for your mare it must be an ok procedure.
[/ QUOTE ]
Wrong only one branch of the nerve is removed , the branch that supplies the top of the suspensory. As the other branches are left in place the horse can feel and show signs of it , if anything else is damaged.
So the horse can still feel it's hoof, tendons and the lower section of suspensory.
My horse had both hinds done and the operation was success and we got back out at Aff Elem Dressage, unfortunatly he then developed navicular in front so is now retired.
Your chaps in the best place for the op so good luck.
No experience of this but it does worry me slightly that if anything else happened to that area you wouldn't know as the horse has been de-nerved (other than outward physical signs). But as it was recommended for your mare it must be an ok procedure.
[/ QUOTE ]
Wrong only one branch of the nerve is removed , the branch that supplies the top of the suspensory. As the other branches are left in place the horse can feel and show signs of it , if anything else is damaged.
So the horse can still feel it's hoof, tendons and the lower section of suspensory.
My horse had both hinds done and the operation was success and we got back out at Aff Elem Dressage, unfortunatly he then developed navicular in front so is now retired.
Your chaps in the best place for the op so good luck.
dieseldog
Well-Known Member
First of all condolences. My mare has also just been diagnosed with this and I'm trying to decide what to do, Shockwave, Operation (she'll need both legs doing) or do nothing. The back legs have a lower succes rate than the front legs. I have heard of horses go back out and eventing after the op. How much box rest have you been told to do?
Lynz25
Well-Known Member
Sammy - Andy and his team are brilliant - we have just been discharged from him at Rossdales after having this op done bilaterally on the 11th August 2006. Mine is also a SJ. Andy said that we could have given it another 6 months to see what happened, shockwave therapy 40% return to pre level of work or have the op with 80% success rate. After a discussion with Andy we decided to operate. Obviously there is a risk with anaesthetic as there is with all ops and obviously them getting up pafter the op at Rossdales they use a suspension unit I believe so that they can help the horse get up and resuce the risk of them falling and hurting themselves afterwards.
He stayed at Rossdales for a week, then he came home with bandages on which I think had to be kept on for a further couple of weeks after the staples were removed. We had to do walking by hand gradually increasing the time. One month post op we could let him out in the field on his own i think we went back for a rescan about 6 weeks. We then could start walking him when ridden for a month, then starting to build up the trotting. We went for another scan in Feb - it was loinger than anticipated as we only have a field to school in which was completely soaked over winter. We were to start cantering and rescan after 4-6 weeks - we then had a foot abcess, then he hurt his back so we just went back this week. Andy was pleased with the results and we decided to do a nerve block on the pelvis and the left hock (still slightly not comeing through on this side so will help build up the muscles around this area). Have now been discarged to continue increasing his fitness and to slowly start pole work and gradually return to jumping.
Andy really does know his stuff - he would not advise it without good reason. Rossdales are fantastic they tell you what to do and give a discharge summary each time. If you have any problems or concerns then don't hesitate to ring them they always returned my calls and never made me feel like a stupid stressy owner.
Good luck
He stayed at Rossdales for a week, then he came home with bandages on which I think had to be kept on for a further couple of weeks after the staples were removed. We had to do walking by hand gradually increasing the time. One month post op we could let him out in the field on his own i think we went back for a rescan about 6 weeks. We then could start walking him when ridden for a month, then starting to build up the trotting. We went for another scan in Feb - it was loinger than anticipated as we only have a field to school in which was completely soaked over winter. We were to start cantering and rescan after 4-6 weeks - we then had a foot abcess, then he hurt his back so we just went back this week. Andy was pleased with the results and we decided to do a nerve block on the pelvis and the left hock (still slightly not comeing through on this side so will help build up the muscles around this area). Have now been discarged to continue increasing his fitness and to slowly start pole work and gradually return to jumping.
Andy really does know his stuff - he would not advise it without good reason. Rossdales are fantastic they tell you what to do and give a discharge summary each time. If you have any problems or concerns then don't hesitate to ring them they always returned my calls and never made me feel like a stupid stressy owner.
Good luck
Sammy**
Member
Thanks guys, it good to hear that there are good results with the operation.
Hopefully Nic is going to be able to come home tomorrow - so long as there is nothing nasty lurking when they have changed teh bandages this weekend. I can't help but worry that it will not be a success though - I lost my good mare in my pics at xmas due to suspensory/sesamoid fracture problems, and to then be doing similar 6 months later with my new horse has just really stressed me out. Did your billd come within the insurance amount?
Hopefully Nic is going to be able to come home tomorrow - so long as there is nothing nasty lurking when they have changed teh bandages this weekend. I can't help but worry that it will not be a success though - I lost my good mare in my pics at xmas due to suspensory/sesamoid fracture problems, and to then be doing similar 6 months later with my new horse has just really stressed me out. Did your billd come within the insurance amount?
Nosey
Well-Known Member
My GG had the plantar neurectomy op bilaterally 18 mths ago and we haven't looked back! In fact she came back better so think must have had PSD for a while before but wasn't that obvious. Even when diagnosed lameness was very minimal.
She now has far more power and oomph than before.. Sometimes a bit too much! We have done everything and more than we did pre-op inc. BSJA. Aff Eventing and aff. dressage. I really fretted over the decision to have the op and now am so glad I went ahead with it. My vet said he wouldn't have put us through the agony of it all if he thought she'd only be a happy hacker afterwards.
My understanding of the shock wave therapy is that it has to be for quite new injuries and due to the nature of PSD ie its not that obvious and diff. to diagnose many injuries are old before they get to treatement stage.
Think the op has developed so much in the last few years that much of the literature on it is already out of date. My physio said it is such a routine op now and she has been in yards where over half the horses have had it done.
Good luck with the rehab - am sure you will be able to enjoy your horse after!
She now has far more power and oomph than before.. Sometimes a bit too much! We have done everything and more than we did pre-op inc. BSJA. Aff Eventing and aff. dressage. I really fretted over the decision to have the op and now am so glad I went ahead with it. My vet said he wouldn't have put us through the agony of it all if he thought she'd only be a happy hacker afterwards.
My understanding of the shock wave therapy is that it has to be for quite new injuries and due to the nature of PSD ie its not that obvious and diff. to diagnose many injuries are old before they get to treatement stage.
Think the op has developed so much in the last few years that much of the literature on it is already out of date. My physio said it is such a routine op now and she has been in yards where over half the horses have had it done.
Good luck with the rehab - am sure you will be able to enjoy your horse after!
Sammy**
Member
Fab to hear some success stories! Nic is now home and seems very tense and stressed in herself, but I guess she is rather sore? She gets the staples out next week...