Kissing Spine

[Toby773]

Some questions -
- has anyone's horse made a successful recovery from KS without surgery to remove the dorsal processes
- does it depend which vertebrae are affected and how many
- without surgery, what other treatments are available

Any advice/info greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

 

[daphnebs]

Hi,

I am a great fan af laser treatment, and have heard on several succesful outcomes with kissing spine injuries. I don't think it matters how many are involved. It does depend on how long the animal has been diagnosed, the earlier the better. The laser will help with any imflammation and also with the muscular structures around the spine. Its definitely worth a try as I've had some fantastic recoverys on horses with quite severe back injuries. Your vet might be able to help you to locate someone with a laser machine. It also helps if the person doing the laser treatment has acupuncture knowledge, as you can use the laser on acupuncture points instead of needles.

 

[HollyP]

There is quite a bit of info on KS if you look through the veterinary section.

 

[BethH]

Is a very personal decision to be made. I know a lot of people that have gone the palliative route and it hasn't worked, I equally know plenty of people that have been through the op and are happily riding their horses again.

IMO, the palliative route can work if you are happy not to have a finite solution, are a brilliant rider and can work your horse so regularly that he never loses muscle tone, i.e., at least 5 days a week, also if your horse is older, has the condition mildly or has other things wrong with him it may be the best route forward. But remember the cause is bones crossing or touching i.e., skeletal, keeping your horses back strongly muscled will always help support the area, but it won't cure the underlying problem.

If you however would like the odd holiday or week off without panicking, have major behavioural issues, have a horse in a reasonable amount of pain or it is young and has no other issues, I would chose the op. For me the operation resolved a number of problems and even though it is an awful decision to make and is mentally and physically exhausting to get through the op and re-hab, I have no regrets and even if Ryan had to retire tomorrow I am grateful that by operating on him he has spent the last 2 1/2 years pretty much pain free, that was my main reason for putting him through it, but he is a happy, healthy contented horse that is able to be ridden regularly and I am a happy owner for all of those reason too.

May I wish you luck with your choices

 

[Toby773]

Thank you for your replies.

Daphneb - how many treatments are required (though probably depends on the severity and number of vertebrae affected)?

BethH - what length of time rest and rehab did you have to endure?

 

[BethH]

Svend Kold at Willersley operated, 6 weeks box rest but walking in hand building up slowly from the day after the op, then 6-8 wks ground work using ground poles etc again building up so comfortable in walk trot and canter, reassessment at 12-14 wks then get back on and take things forward gradually but purposefully.

I worked Ryan 5-6 days at week probably not as intensively as some others that I know, because I had severe behavioural difficulties to deal with, it took longer for his head to accept the work, his body seemed to cope pretty well, but I made sure I spent a lot of time getting correct paces rather than working him flat out so that he is now immensely strong in his back.

Hope that helps and best of luck to you with the way forward for your ned.