MSM for sacroiliac problems?

viola

viola

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Have anyone with a horse with SI injury/problems been advised by their vets to supplement its diet with MSM?
I've been reading about it decreasing inflammation and improving circulation which is what I understand needs to happen to aid healing any SI strain...?

Also, were you advised to maybe supplement sulfur alone?
I am going to speak to my vet about it but just wondered if there is anyone who has used it before.
 
I know MSM is very good for cases of mild bone spavin but not heard of sacroilliac. Certainly it won't do any harm, but maybe a homeopathic route and one that is aimed aimed at the problem itself would be better.

If you want to improve circulation then I would recommend getting a static magnotherapy rug, or better still pulsed mag type of implement. Bioflow are very good in their field and would be happy to give you advice, I have used their products for many years and found them both good value for money and invaluable.
 
MSM is a "free radical scavenger" so not targeted to a particular part of the horse's body but more like a NSAID - it goes where it's needed. Theoretically it should work on any inflammation present.

I've had good luck with it over the years with a wide variety of horses and problems. I've done "test" studies - taking horses off it and testing them, that sort of thing - and felt confident in the results. I do know there was also an independent positive study.

Not sure about straight sulphur as I believe there would be a bioavailability issue. There also might be a palatablity problem as sulphur is quite unpleasant.
 
That's interesting, will definitely have a look into this.
We have a next vet-physio team reassessment on Monday and I want to discuss various options with them.
Re the circulation - I read somewhere that improving circulation aids the repair of tendons/ligaments/joint problems and as sacroiliac injury is apparently comparable with suspensory injury rehab/repair wise I thought I would research that route
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Thank you TarrSteps - I've been reading the science papers but it's all a bit too scientific for me especially in English
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(it's not my first language).

One of the things mentioned was that MSM works brilliantly and fast but that you have to supplement it continously to benefit from it.
Is it safe to use it long-term (i.e. alike a herbal supplement for years?)?

We are of course working on eliminating all possible causes of the horse's problems but I am led to believe sacroiliac problems are not that easy to get rid of...
 
Have a chat with your vet about Adequan. My vet says that it's v good for helping anything tendon related to heal - he told me that it's good for cartilage related issues, arthiritic probs (mine had it for spavins), and also for anything that could be "tendonitis, tendon swelling, inflammation". Might be worth a go?

I'm also sure I read that someone on here had their horse's SI injected with cortisone to relieve some of the soreness though whether that treats the actual cause of the problem or just the symptom I don't know....
 
My boy was injected 9 weeks ago and it has made a massive difference but I am looking for ways to manage the problem long term. He has fairly big problems with crookedness and muscle imbalances which affect his recovery.
I am wondering if putting him on something that prevents the inflammation from returrning is a good way forward.

Will have a look at Adequan.
 
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One of the things mentioned was that MSM works brilliantly and fast but that you have to supplement it continously to benefit from it.
Is it safe to use it long-term (i.e. alike a herbal supplement for years?)?


[/ QUOTE ]

In my experience, I'd say "yes" on both counts. I've known horses be on it for decades with apparent benefit and no obvious problems. I'd say the one thing that "sold" me on it initially was a racehorse based study pointing to its efficacy - so much so there was talk of making it a controlled substance! (A bit tricky since it's not an "outside" substance, you're supplementing something the horse already has in it.) It's also recommended for human use and the only negative stories I've ever heard have been with DMSO, similar stuff in a different, and very scary, form.

It's always a bit tricky with substances like this as there really is no benefit to anyone in the industry to do further testing. If it is proven to work, then it will be controlled, and if it doesn't work they will obviously not be able to sell it as successfully anymore.

I have to say, I think you're sensible not to expect a total and complete "cure". Very few things in life can be turned back in time and there are bound to be lingering effects to the general wear and tear of living. This seems to have become something we're not allowed to say now but it always seems to me much more sensible to recognise it and manage the situation as successfully as possible.

I have not used Adequan for SI injuries but have for other things. It's very successful but again, likely part of an ongoing (and quite pricey) protocol. Other feed additives - Cosequin etc - seem to have varied success - what works for one horse might not work as well for another and it can take some trial and error.
 
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We are of course working on eliminating all possible causes of the horse's problems but I am led to believe sacroiliac problems are not that easy to get rid of...

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You cant get rid of sacroiliac problems. They are a persistent chronic injury. The only thing you can do is manage it.

Things I do:

* Chiro visit every 3 months (sometimes 4 months) to alleviate poll tension
* stretching excerises (theoretically everyday at least 5 mins but sometimes he doesnt need this. Always before riding)
* as much turnout as possible
* lunging at least 2 times a week - up to 40 mins, but 20 mins of that is walking in long and low - poles are good
* always riding in an outline to make him use his back and hindleg as much as possible (although he will never truly work in a correct outline as the SI ligament strain prevents him from doing so) and tailoring exercise to how stiff/supple he is and also long warm up and cool down and always wearing exercise sheet to keep quarters warm in winter
* walking hacks up and down hills to build and maintain topline
* constant saddle chacks (I am a saddle fitter so I make sure his saddle always fits)
* keep a consistent workload - even 1 week off will cause whatever topline we can build to melt away
* feed boswellia for pain (he will always have a low grade constant pain) and superflex to support other joints which are compensating
* no back shoes unless necessary (the strain of having his leg abducted is too much for him)
* magnetic rug to alleviate back soreness coming from not being able to work correctly from behind.

theroetically I could jump him up to 3 foot as he wouldnt need to properly bascule over the jump, but I think it puts too much strain on him. He sustained the inury in his former career as a showjumper and although he is still very keen and never stops etc. I found him to hop a bit in the canter afterwards so we stopped jumping. I sometimes lunge him over a little cross pole to make things interesting or over raised trotting poles (which he always jumps) but I no longer ride him over jumps.

Hope that helps.
 
Thank you very much to both of you for all the information.

CBAnglo - yes, I am aware of the chronic character of this injury
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I guess I am hoping for a miracle, or deluding myself maybe.
It's very helpful to see what you do with your horse, thank you. Some of it we are doing already but a lot of food for thought and definitely plenty to discuss with our vet next week.

All the best with your horse.
 
CB Anglo, reading through a great post. Thank you.

My mare got SI injury after she had a KS op the two go hand in hand so I am lead to believe a kind of compensation injury.
 
My mare was diagnosed with this about 7 years ago. I luckily found a fab physio who helped to loads. I never have any problems with her now. I did lots of hacking with her and I keep her in constant, medium work and always make sure she uses her back end. I found the stronger she got the better it became. I don't have any issue with it at all anymore, I jump, she has points/placed at Elementary, it really isn't a concern to me at all. Strangely enough she has just sprained her front suspensory and the vet recommended changing her to MSM and I can feel a BIG improvement in her suppleness.
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Ah that's great to read Madam_Max!
My little man had his re-assessment today and he has improved loads with exercises, physio etc
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It's still very much early days with him but it's good to hear some positive stories too.
 
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