Hind bilateral PSD, prognosis?

[HufflyPuffly]

Putting this here as I'm interested in anyone's experiences of this, and if they've managed to get back out competing at any level?

Any actual experiences would be very useful to hear about, thank you in advance x

 

[DirectorFury]

Sorry to read this HP, hope you and yours are OK.

I don't think she posts on here anymore (and I'm damned if I can remember her username) but https://www.instagram.com/averageamateureventing/ 's Twiglet (?) had hind PSD and seems to be going great guns after rehab.

 

[tinselbobs]

My story isn't positive unfortunately, but the horse had lots of other issues.

Horse had problems with both hind suspensories, kissing spines and hock arthritis so he ended up being PTS and he was only 7.

I hope you have a more positive experience!

 

[milliepops]

Sorry to read this HP, hope you and yours are OK.

I don't think she posts on here anymore (and I'm damned if I can remember her username) but https://www.instagram.com/averageamateureventing/ 's Twiglet (?) had hind PSD and seems to be going great guns after rehab.

girlracer, i think, on here?

hope all OK HP x

 

[Spotherisk]

Mine too had myriad problems and was pts age 11.

 

[mavandkaz]

Not PSD as such, but chronic suspensory issues, hinds were worse but also in fronts.
If you search through my threads you will find my story. We are now back out competing medium, bit on a reduced work load.
My instructor has one that is now back out competing novice BE after a very poor prognosis with no treatment other then rest.

Being a member of the PSD groups, it certainly seems to be down to the individual horse. I to also make sure you have checked everything else too, as often PSD is secondary to something else.

 

[TheMule]

I think if you're sure it's 'just' the PSD and no other related conditions then you can get a good outcome. I would be far more guarded if there are question marks elsewhere too and obviously that’s not always easy to know when you're at the start of the journey

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Thanks all.

Vet has been very pessimistic, due to pathology in front feet (I think, we have another appointment next month as I'm not happy to just 'give up' so can quiz more then) but I don't think the front feet are as big of an issue as the pathology has been there since the horse was a two. PSD and associated SI disfunction but no KS or other boney abnormalities in the hind limbs, responded very well to blocks despite only presenting with 1-2 tenths lame, diagnosed from scans.

I'm devastated as we've just retired the other one for the same thing (plus spinal changes), despite the same vet pushing for the surgery and saying we don't need to retire her to a hack if we didn't want to...

 

[TheMule]

Thanks all.

Vet has been very pessimistic, due to pathology in front feet (I think, we have another appointment next month as I'm not happy to just 'give up' so can quiz more then) but I don't think the front feet are as big of an issue as the pathology has been there since the horse was a two. PSD and associated SI disfunction but no KS or other boney abnormalities in the hind limbs, responded very well to blocks despite only presenting with 1-2 tenths lame, diagnosed from scans.

I'm devastated as we've just retired the other one for the same thing (plus spinal changes), despite the same vet pushing for the surgery and saying we don't need to retire her to a hack if we didn't want to...

I'm really sorry, that is totally rubbish ?
I think you're right to investigate a bit further but I wouldn’t expect a recovery to full work based on what you've said here

 

[ycbm]

So sorry to hear this HP. I've no experience to offer, but I hope it can be sorted.
.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

I'm really sorry, that is totally rubbish ?
I think you're right to investigate a bit further but I wouldn’t expect a recovery to full work based on what you've said here

Can I ask why?

I cannot understand being so pessimistic (not just you but the vet too) about it, when the horse has been in full work with very little issues, front feet have never caused an issued in 7 years and no other issues going on?

This was investigated after a niggle and wondering why the hind end remained quite weak looking compared to the front.

 

[Roxylola]

Oh I'm so sorry. PSD, was one of my boys issues (years and years ago now) lame in one leg but both had issues when scanned. There was also arthritic changes in his hocks though, and tbh I don't think it was ever even discussed why these issues had occurred. These days I'd suspect kissing spines or perhaps pssm as being issues too, but I was not so wise then and there was less information available generally.
It wasn't a good outcome but looking back the suspensory was likely a symptom of other issues.
Sending hugs to you and your girls xx

 

[milliepops]

really sorry to read this HP, hope you have one that hasn't read the vet's textbook.

 

[TheMule]

Can I ask why?

I cannot understand being so pessimistic (not just you but the vet too) about it, when the horse has been in full work with very little issues, front feet have never caused an issued in 7 years and no other issues going on?

This was investigated after a niggle and wondering why the hind end remained quite weak looking compared to the front.

Just from experience knowing lots of horses. PSD is rarely found in isolation because the kind of repetitive strain that causes it is usually as a result of some other biomechanical issue. Of course conformation of the hindleg is often a big contributing factor, but the stance of the hind leg is therefore not quite 'normal' so puts strain on other things. If you have SI issues too that tells you it is a whole bilateral hind end issue and therefore medicating or de-nerving is not actually solving what led to the issue in the first place. The recovery protocols for each procedure are often at odds with each other, so one needs box rest and one needs movement.
The front feet could be a red herring, but needs to be considered in the context of the rest of the horse because more strain is put on the front legs if the hind legs aren’t functioning normally. I have 2 friends who recently have had hind PSD issues solved but then the lameness has shown up in front.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

There's no KS or arthritis of limb joints thankfully (x-rayed), cause most likely just conformation (straight through the hind leg). Front feet have very large sidebone, and the RF has an oddly dense navicular bone.

I'm not expecting her to be top level anything, but a little surprised of the others around me diagnosed two have been given options to carry on dressage at PSG and the other event 100+ but her to only hack when there is less going on and less ridden issues.

Adding: Hind limb stance was very poor until last year indicating 'something', she was rehabbed and now stands spot on, but I just had a niggle there was something stopping some of her progression.

 

[Ossy2]

Is this the grey? I maybe thinking of the wrong horse but I have it in my mind that she’s had hind end issues/concerns before? If the vet knows that history and has given the cause as a direct result of her conformation and her conformation is always going to be her conformation that could be why the vet is being guarded on this one.

 

[TPO]

Sorry to read this.

No experience with PSD but just to (sort of) echo TheMule. I had a wonky horse due to a 7yrs previous pelvis fracture, I set about fixing (straightening) him and all the wheels fell off. As soon as there was improvement in one area something went wrong elsewhere. He had developed his own compensations and when I finally gave up hope and just retired him and let him be as wonky as he wanted he was fine. It's me so there's a full novel that I'm skipping but that's the summary.

@paddi22 does a lot of rehab cases so might have better examples than my singular one

Sorry again

 

[Goldenstar]

Mine was a disaster he had no other issues but he was PTS at eight .

 

[Morgan123]

My Arab had psd in both hinds and kissing spines. Vet was pessimistic due to conformation and horse is not candidate for surgery. He was 4/10 lame behind. However - positive story!
We did 5 months pen rest wirh PRP, 4xshockwave, arc equine, steroid injections in back, and twice daily ice boots - plus physio and twice daily walking. I was convinced this would fail because he did lots of pratting about and is not good on box rest. Then gradually increased turnout, lots of long reining and gentle reintroduction to work.
happy to say he is now sound for hacking and even baby endurance (haven’t ventured more than 24km tho, but that’s more than I ever would have expected). Vet has forbidden any schooling (lols) so straight lines only, and I’m mega careful to continue long reining, not just jump on after a few days off, look after his back etc etc.
I think I’ve been very very lucky but just wanted to share because I know there aren’t many positive stories out there.
Good luck to you!

 

[scats]

Not a great outcome here I’m afraid. PSD in one hind and never returned to full work. Does light hacking and can manage walk and trot under saddle but categorically cannot and will not canter, so we don’t bother.

 

[Regandal]

My horse had psd and the n and f surgery before I acquired him. Also rather straight through the hocks. Best thing for him was taking the shoes off and building up his digital cushions - this takes some of the strain off the suspensories.

 

[xxKatxx]

Sorry to say I also haven’t had a great experience - mine was diagnosed with PSD and he’s only come back to light hacking and the odd groundwork session after shockwave and 3 months one rest. He has days when he seems sounder than others and might cope with slightly more work but he doesn’t owe me anything! He had previous other hind end issues (stifle injury has a six year old, possible issues SI that improved following injection) and always had an on and off toe drag so realistically could have had the PSD for years before the actual diagnosis which probably didnt help.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

My last tb had psd in both hinds. After vet intervention and rehab it was decided he was too far gone. He was only 6.

 

[j1ffy]

No experience but I just wanted to say that I’m very sorry to read your news HP and I hope yours becomes a success story x

 

[milliepops]

the one i knew also had front foot lameness show up when the hocks were blocked :/
that had N&F surgery and did return to work, i lost touch but I noticed it carried on up the training ladder towards GP and then vanished so I suspect it has not remained sound. possibly would have done at lower levels but then also had the SI/spavins involvement.

 

[Sam_J]

My horse has now been retired to a hacking only loan home after a diagnosis of PSD but he has very poor limb conformation. If I remember correctly, didn't you take your horse to see Angela Holland? She was my first port of call with my boy (I endorse all the good things that have been said about her) and she recommended a vet called Mark Andrews from Wrexham Equine Vets.

Mark saw my horse twice and I would thoroughly recommend him. Our story did not have the ending I wanted, but Mark was very honest and straight talking which was exactly what I needed. I also really respected him for saying that it would be possible to do surgery, but the prognosis was poor and he considered that carrying out the surgery would be unethical so he wasn't prepared to do it (not that I wanted it done anyway).

I'm sorry you're in this situation and I hope you have a better outcome than I did.

 

[RHM]

Mine had PSD in both hinds, one worse than the other. We had 6 months box rest, shockwave, PRP injections, then 12 months further 24/7 field rest. He is sound enough for light hack but if pushed goes completely lame again. He was only 5 at the time of the injury. He is 10 now and still very limited in what he can do. Sorry it’s such a crap diagnosis. The Facebook group is brilliant though and there are more positive stories on there.

 

[Michen]

Oh no HP I’m really sorry to read this . Hugs.

 

[SEL]

Is surgery an option? It wasn't for mine due to a long list of other issues but am equine vet friend went down the surgical route with hers and fingers crossed looks sound - too soon to see what job the horse will have long term.

Interesting about your front feet issue. Rob Jackson adjusted my mare and she looked amazing - he was convinced the slight "offness" in front was because she was wonky behind. I had x rays booked and she showed sidebone left fore & navicular damage right fore. No idea if that was as a result from compensating from damage behind. We have pssm in the mix so a successful rehab was never on the cards sadly, but I'd also recommend the PSD Facebook page

 

[sjdress]

Mine didn’t come right, had shockwave and a comprehensive rehab program but kept going lame again. Went back to vets for another work up and bone scan and found various multiple issues in all 4 legs/feet and after tying for 2 years he just wouldnt stay sound. Horse was 5 stage vetted 18 months prior to it all going wrong. He was eventually pts which was just heartbreaking as he was quite young and a fabulous boy .
However on a more positive note, a friends horse had mild PSD and made a full recovery and is back out eventing with no further issues.