Hock fusion experiences with injection

Birker2020

Birker2020

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Anyone had any experience of this good/bad?
Would you do it again (obviously not for same horse as impossible, but if you could make the decision again would you?)
Did it work and how long did it take to work?
How much was it?

Considering hock fusion for my horse instead of six monthly hock steroid injections as it is a long term result and cheaper in the long run. Vet said he is a viable candidate. Need to save some money first though!
 
Hello,

My mare had both her hocks fused in June and scopes on both stifles so slightly different to yours. But I'm glad I did it, I'd said before I wouldn't let her have surgery as she is 15 but the Vet said she had a very good chance of coming completly sound again and could have another 10 years left in her.

She is just now being able to start schooling work and canter on soft surfaces, but still no small circles, so it is quite a long recovery. I was told about a year of recovery time in total by my vet, though she does also have the added issue of the stifles also needing to recover (apparently they take a lot longer than hocks).

And I was able to use my insurance which obviously helps! As I say I didn't pay, but she had two separate surgeries and the hock one was just over
£2K, then she had to go back for some check ups were she was x-rayed again which was another few hundred.
 
My boy had this done in one hock at the age of 12 - still all fine now at 23! That being said, I did give up small circles in schooling, and was advised not to jump over 2'6 (I hate jumping in general, so all good really!) As I recall, box rest was six weeks then and then a gradual return to work.
 
Thanks guys. Friends horse has had it done but too soon to see results and this has been offered for my horse too. Started saving up as not covered on the insurance (had all his cover for the bone spavin treatment used up.)

Friends horse was in for 48 hours and then could go out.
 
My 12yo had it done, he became sound very quickly and resumed light hacking within about 6 weeks. I built it up but he did a suspensory ligament about 6 months post fusion - possibly did it the first time I worked him in a school. We treated it with shockwave and I retired him. After the ligaments improved he then got stress fractures and had to be PTS. Now he did have unfortunate hindlimb conformation (straight hocks, base narrow) but I don't know f fusing his hocks so quickly altered the way he moved and this put strain on other areas of his legs.

I'm not sure if I would do it again. Sorry that's not much help is it? I can say the procedure was not at all distressing and he did not appear to be sore afterwards.
 
My mare had it done and sadly it didn't work. The vet said it was the only one it hadn't helped, this was 8 years ago. I do know of others with really good results though :)
 
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