Knee surgery - any experiences?

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debh

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I have a 5yo ex racer called Moonlight who after her second race, needed surgery to debride worn cartilage from both front fetlocks and also had a screw put into her carpal bones (back of the knee) in her left fore. She recovered ok and went on to race and stayed sound during her time in training.

She's been with me for 2 years now and her leg has been good considering all that has happened to it. Over the last few weeks, she's become noticeably sore on her leg and when she's walking on it, it appears to be deviating in towards her midline. My vet has seen her and has suggested getting her x-rayed to see if the screw has moved and if it needs to be taken out.

I've had prices for the x-rays but I was wondering if any of you have experience in caring for a horse that has had this kind of surgery? Maybe ML won't need this done, but any comments re after care and price
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would be helpful.

I've also emailed her last trainer (who is a vet too) and he said that she withstood intensive pre race training and that in his view she will be fine to use a riding horse. Fingers crossed that this is just something simple and it won't be too traumatic for ML. She's getting 10mg glucosamine, 10mg chondroitin and 4mg MSM per day so there's not much more I can give her on the supplement front plus during the winter she gets about 2 mugs of linseed which also works as an anti inflammatory.

Thanks a lot for reading all comments are welcomed.

Deb xx

PS here's a pic of the lovely lady herself

DSCF0288.jpg
 
she's lovely. sounds as if she's been through a lot, must be a toughie.
i had a foal's knees operated on once, the biggest problem was that he kept tearing off the bandages and trying to rip the stitches out. if she's the sort that might, it could be worth tracking down one of those old-fashioned neck-cradle things to stop horses from ripping their rugs, just for a week or two, and put her water buckets and hay up high enough. just an idea, if she does need the op.
hope it has a really positive outcome.
 
Thanks for that - all useful suggestions should she need to go under the knife. I really hope that we can sort this out for her, it's so sad that she was injured so early in her life.

We were in the syndicate of owners when ML was running and we understood that she would have an educational run or two as a 2yo and then come back as a 3yo but sadly this didn't happen. When we brought her home as a 3yo, we then had to go the sales and buy her at auction to secure her future - this was after paying 1/4 share for her when she came over from germany. Never mind, she's home now and that's the main thing.

Thanks once again

Deb
 
SHe is very lucky you look after and love her so well. She is beautiful.

Working in human orthopaedics, I know that 'metalwork' as we call it can work its way loose and the only way to be sure is an x-ray unfortunately. It could be the discomfort of the loose screw altering her gait or it could be arthritis.

Hopefully, it is just the screw, not arthritis and the screw can be removed under sedation.

I hope all goes well for you both.

x
 
Thanks again,

I think that arthritis is inevitable with this horse considering the level of invasive surgery she underwent at such a young age.

The vets have quoted £60 - £73 for the first plate and then £9 for any additional ones so the cost isn't too bad. I have an equine clinic that comes highly recommended not too far from me so we'll get her over there in the next week or so (this is how much notice they need).

Thanks so much once again

Deb and of course, Moonlight

x
 
Let us know you you both get on.

Fingers crossed its the screw and once it is removed she is as good as new.

x
 
Thanks Helen, will call round in the next few days I have some Veterinary Spray for you.

Cheers for the support with ML.

Deb xx
 
My 6 yr old had a knee op. He was diagnosed with arthritis and had surgery to remove the bits of loose bone. I wish i'd never had it done, he never recovered and it was such a struggle to keep him comfortable. I had him pts 26 months after his operation.

The best supplement i found that had any affect on him was top spec 10/10.

I hope you have better luck with your mare.
 
Thanks everyone for your input.

I've now had the x-rays back from the vets who operated and they're not as bad as I expected.

We're off to see an orthopaedic specialist on Tuesday for a full examination. I've emailed him the xrays from her previous surgery so he knows what the story of her limbs has been.

Most def fingers crossed for a comfortable future for her.

Deb x
 
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