OCD operation for an older horse

C

chl

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My 11 yo warmblood has just been diagnosed with OCD in the hock. No signs of lameness at all, just problems in his way of going which have plagued us for 7 years. He has only been able to do light work in the last year. I either do nothing and learn to manage the problem, which means he will not be able to do any more than light work, or have the operation which has a 60% success rate in young horses - no stats for older horses. He has probably got further damage arising due to not picking up the problem sooner. Has anyone had the op done on an older horse and what was the outcome? What would you do in my situation?
 
Hi - I have no personal experience, but a friends horse was diagnosed with OCD of the stifle at the age of 9years. He'd always had a "swelling" and a strange action, but jumped BE intro/PN. He was refered to Newmarket for surgery, but on examination & arthroscopy the joint itself was stuffed, so he has been retired. Hopefully for you the hock lesion will prove sucessfull. Best wishes.
 
I dont have any experience of OCD but just wondered whether there is any likelihood of the op making the condition worse, if not then it is something to consider. The best person to be asking the advice from is the experts, speak to your vet and if your horse will be referred on for the op then ask to speak to them. Gather as much professional advice as you can before you make your decision. Good luck with it whatever you decide x
 
My horse had an arthroscopy for hock OCD (caused by injury) aged 7. No problems and I'd highly recommend it. The sooner you get the joint cleared out the better the chance of recovery and limited damage. I'd have it done, but by a very experienced surgeon who has done a lot of these ops and only on an otherwise healthy horse.
 
Thanks everybody for all your advice. I'm still undecided and am monitoring the situation - I am hoping I can manage it and that he will be able to do some work. He won't be the sort of horse who would be happy to be retired! I am also hoping that his problems may not be so great now that the ground has softened up - it has been SO hard this summer and I left him out 24/7 this year for the first time ever. If I do decide to go ahead, how do I go about finding the best surgeon to do it? At the moment I am being advised by my vet, who is kind of expecting to do the op themselves.
 
I'm in Kent and I am starting to research possible vet practices to ask. I think you have to also ask the success rate in the practice or of the vet - they seem to be willing to give that out. Not sure how I am going to change to another vet as they seem to want to hang onto you once they have started something. Love the pics of your horse, Halfstep - if after the op it looks like it all went well for you!
 
My horse has ocd in both stifle joints, but doesn't have cysts which can be operated on. Anyway I have found that the only thing that works for him is a tildren injection every 6 months, its expensive but it keeps him working comfortably. When I say working, light school work and hacking. I wish you all the best :-)
 
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