Kissing Spines - Treatment Options

[Bozzy]

My horse has had xrays and been diagnosed with fairly severe kissing spines affecting 3 vertabrae. He has now had cortisone injections and I can start walking him out again under saddle in 3-4 weeks to be back in full work come 6 weeks to see if there is any change in him.

Does anyone have any experience of KS, if so, what treatment did you use and how severe was it?

If the injections do work then I'm thinking of going for the opeation but need to find out more about the risks involved etc. He's rising 6 and I've owned him for a year, he's always had a sore back but various chiros/bowen people just put it down to 'growing pains' but it has recently been slowly getting worse hence the xrays. I'm so, so gutted

 

[seabiscuit]

See the pics of the horse in my siggy- he had a KS op in April 06 now look at him going! Like yours his was 3 vertebrate.
His back and hinquarter muscles are now in superb condition and there is not an ounce of pain in him anywhere. He is better than horses that have not had such back problems! His physio says he is outstanding and does not need any treatment at the moment. Who else can say that about their 'normal' horses who have not had such problems?

Cortisone injections were useless for us, my horse tried those before his op combined with shockwave therapy. Made no difference.

IMO the only option is surgery. I see that you are in Newbury, I would not go to O gormans or Liphook , take him to Willesley equine in Gloucs where you have the leading back surgeon in the country ( Svend Kold) he has put many top performance horses back on the road with this operation.
He has a slightly different way of cutting the ligaments in the back than the other vet practises which is why he is so mucb more successfull. With Svend the horses also have a much more stringent and intensive exercise program straight after the surgery which is vitally important to keep everything elastic and supple in the back.

The KS op, although you may think its a huge deal, ( I certainly did) it really is not. Its a routine surgery that they have been performing for many years now. It is simply removing excess bone in the back.

I'd waste no more time and ask for a referral to see Svend at Willesley. If he thinks your horse should be operated on, then he will do so, or if he's not a client for the operation but you must do this that and the other- then at least you know that youve had the best advice possible. I spent too long flaffing about with the cortisone injections etc if only I'd referred him there in the first place! Surgery, then intense exercise is the only option to deal with this. Unfortunately many vets are still pretty uneduacated about this because all theyv'e known is failures from this operation, and that is due to many hospitals telling clients to totally box rest the horse for 3 months after surgery- so the horse is a write off even before he starts work under saddle.

 

[billyslad]

I look after a intermediate eventer that has been diagnosed with ks as well as tendon probs in both back legs.It has cost us about 10k so farbut Andy Bathe from Rosdales Newmarket did the surgery .

We have just finished 3 months of box rest / on the walker so will be bringinging him back into work soon.He was turned out after 1 month so he had a chance of keeping his head straight.

There were 3 vertabrae removed and we didnt try shock wave or cortisone but just got on with it.

I know that Jeanette Brakewells Equinox Sidewinder has also had this same op performed by Andy and has been sucessful.

If i were in your situation I would talk to both Willesley who are excellent & also speak to Andy Bathe & then get on with it .I hope you are insured either way

Best of luck

 

[kerilli]

i had a horse with ks operated on in the early 90s. he then had 3 months' box rest, and started back into work slowly and progressively. his vile buck had gone, he was absolutely fine and rideable. he got fit enough to go round an Open hunter trial and was 100%, and i was planning for him to resume his Eventing career the next season. unfortunately he then managed to fracture his pedal bone while turned out, but as far as i was concerned, the ks op. was successful.

 

[Bozzy]

Thank you so much for your replies, really appreciated.

For the fact that he is fit and young I'm thinking I would prefer for him to have the op. He also has a problem with his sacroiliac which will have to be injected in 6 weeks time as well, not sure if that's just a knock on effect of the kissing spines.

He is insured but vets fees are only up to £4k and I really don't have the money to pay for any extras

We would be referred to Ridgeway in Lamborne. I've looked at the website for Willesley and may speak to them and my vets regarding a referral, obviously worried about the money side of things but also want the best for him

 

[Bozzy]

DoftheDerby - your sig wasn't on your post but I've just found it on another post, your horse looks fab

How long did the recovery process take? What do you do with him now?

 

[BethH]

Your sacroiliac is probably a secondary sympton of KS as are Patella locking, splints, spavins and all sorts. I have answered your pm, please use Svend Kold at Willersley, there is no equal for this. Because he is clever at the way he does this op it also makes him cheaper as the surgery time is much less. He is also a very straight forward, honest and kind person who will do his utmost for your horse. He does 2 or 3 of these op every week!

Ryan only had 6weeks box rest but was walked in hand daily from the day after his op, he then did 6-8 weeks ground work and I was back on board after 14 weeks despite a couple of setbacks. Take it slowly and don't ask too much too quickly but get your horse moving as soon as you can.

Good luck and let us know how you get on