Horse SI treatment

[Jonathan89]

Hi looking for peoples feedback on SI treatment. My lad had a bone scan and was diagnosed with SI pain 10 weeks ago and treated at the same time. He seemed happier for a couple of weeks but hes unable to turn his body when ridden if I’m able to get on at all without him throwing himself in the floor in the process. I’m thinking he’s getting to the point of loss of use I’m just interested on anyone’s experiences as this is my first with this injury. He’s had 2 sessions of physio and it doesn’t seem to help much at all.

 

[ihatework]

They aren’t a quick fix - they are generally a lifetime of management.
Steroid into the joint combined with regular physio and most importantly correct rehab/riding/training.

A bit like humans with lower back pain - it’s what you do and how you do it. Moving straight, engaging core, keeping mobilised, strategic use of anti-inflam/painkillers as required.

 

[be positive]

They aren’t a quick fix - they are generally a lifetime of management.
Steroid into the joint combined with regular physio and most importantly correct rehab/riding/training.

A bit like humans with lower back pain - it’s what you do and how you do it. Moving straight, engaging core, keeping mobilised, strategic use of anti-inflam/painkillers as required.

Mine had 2 months, if not longer, of hacking 6 days a week with no ridden school work or lunging, I did a lot of in hand exercises with him as well, every day he did in hand polework, had his physio exercises and I also strapped him most days, he was out at night in each morning and stayed in until mid afternoon so I could do everything, it was almost a full time job.
Physio came once a week for the first month then less often, he strengthened up got back into full work and jumping remaining sound but was 'retired' for unrelated reasons, he is still level, comfortable living out full time and has required no further treatment to remain that way, vet is surprised he has done so well, it is a shame he is not still in work and there are times I am tempted to bring him back for another go, maybe next spring.

 

[Broodle]

What the others above said, and the following too.

My vet explained to me that the SI ligaments travel through very small holes in the pelvis - other ligaments in the body are able to thicken after damage to compensate for reduced strength in the damaged region, but because of the small pelvis holes the SI ligaments cannot do this and so will always be weaker and more compromised after injury, no matter what you do.

Injections provide a very limited window in which pain in the SI ligaments is removed. During this window you need to get the surrounding muscles as strong as possible to compensate for the weakened ligaments. If you can't get them strong enough then you'll likely always have a problem imo, sorry.

Another thing to consider is that kissing spines often go hand in hand with SI problems, so worth talking to your vet about x rays.

Good luck.

 

[Dyllymoo]

SI is hard to rehab but you have to rehab properly. It needs strengthening work. I did months of long reining with my mare, out hacking (she wasn't safe under saddle to hack due to her SI pain). We covered miles and miles and miles.

Unfortunately she had several other issues which deteriorated quickly and meant she couldn't cope with ridden work/ being a lawn mower. This was around 16 months after initial diagnosis so honestly rehabbing takes a long time to do properly.

 

[ohmissbrittany]

By "treated" do you mean steroid injections? Steroids are good for easing the inflammation and pain sp you can work them correctly but wear off quickly if the underlying cause is not addressed.

 

[Myloubylou]

I injured my SI joint when I fell off. It was very painful to dismount as the movement to swing back and around pulled at the Surrounding ligaments It’s taken a year with multiple physio sessions and dedicated stretching and strengthening exercise to be without pain. So as above it is going to take time and a lot of work to rehab.