Neurectomy

[maxweg]

Hi
Does anyone have first hand experiance on this surgery.

My 18yr mare has just had it done as artheritis in her coffin joint and lower pastern which made her lame at trot. she is unable to take bute or similar due to stomach problems so my trusted vet suggested it. doing really well and already being ridden gently just two weeks later.
What I would like to know is anyone else's experiences of this surgery good or bad! and any problems they may have had

 

[angiebaby]

Not the same problem but my pony had a neurectomy last October for PSD. He has been turned out for 6 months now and I've just started to ride him in walk for 30 minutes a day. He's walking really well, but when I see him trotting in the field he still looks lame to me! However the vet says he needs to use it and break down the fibres.
I don't give bute, but I do give him No Bute; whether it works or not ?

 

[maxweg]

hi
thanks, I am just trying to get as much info as pos as some friends have said it isnt succesful and they stumble a lot. vet has said hacking only no jumping but thats all we did anyway so it was more about her quality of life and she enjoys getting out and about,it would seem a pity to retire to her field.

 

[wjgfred]

Hi,

I'm sorry but I cant actually help you with your question. However my horse has DDFT problems and also collateral ligament problems with the coffin joint.

I was recommended neurectomy but decided to go for just rest first. However I havent completely ruled this out just want to get the tendon a bit more healed first and see how we are.

I wondered if you would be prepared to share your experiences with me. Firstly how the operation ran and management after, and obviously how you get on from her on in.

Thank you

 

[_jetset_]

One of my mares had a neurectomy on her hinds following PSD. Initially I tried shock wave treatment and rest which did 'heal' the ligament and the fibres were lovely and straight, but the ligament did heal a little thicker

After a lot of consideration, I opted to have the operation.

She had four weeks of complete box rest (with the stitches removed one week after the operation and bandaged for two weeks) followed by three weeks of me walking on board for 20 minutes, which extended to 35 minutes by the end of this period (hers was a slightly different case because she had done all her healing over four months of box rest previously).

Following this she went back for a reassessment at the surgery and we started introducing long sides of trot for two weeks and then she could be turned out! Once turnout started, she could then start coming back into work over a six week period and we are on week 5 now

I have been instructed to really work the hinds though as at this point it is so important because I need to makes sure the scar tissue stretches correctly to allow all normal movement in the future.

I hate saying this, because I feel I am tempting fate, but she feels great at the moment.

 

[maxweg]

thanks for replying
I think i have been quite fortunate as it was only done 15 days ago. she was allowed restricted turnout on her return from the vets but felt so good that managed to fly buck her way round the paddock! although no damage thank god!

the staples came out saturday and i was on board the following day and have ridden out each day since
very gentle road work and as one of the wounds looked a bit puffy yesterday, on the suggestion of the vet rode her to the local river and stood in there for 5 min
thats all she could manage to stand still!
joking aside, she seems to feel much happier in herself, I take it is because she is now pain free now

my worries are that she may stumble and go down on her knees
she can be a bit spooky and I am concerned that this might make her lose her footing when she spooks

all we do is hacking and we are quite limited here for off road hacking so it does tend to be a lot of road work

 

[doris2008]

A friend of mine has had a double neurectomy done on her horse for arthiritis. The op worked very well originally, although amazingly she has just had the operation doen for the third time. He is sound on hard ground but unlevel on a school surface.
Last winter her horse was still hunting & jumpng all day without batting an eyelid. Never had stumbling problems either.