Splint surgery, any success stories?

[Skewbald006]

My horse has a splint on a front leg which is pretty jagged in its formation, with a protruding spike that's impinging on the suspensory ligament. Surgery has been suggested as a treatment option since steroid injections are only keeping him sound for a couple of months at a time. I am keen to find out if anyone has successfully got their horse back into full work following surgery? What was the recovery and rehab time and did the splint regrow/remodel at all? My vets haven't seen many instances of this and so far I don't have detailed guidance on whether or not the surgery is worth it, or whether I just save myself the money and him the trauma by retiring him to hacking. Thanks

 

[Oneday]

My first horse was kicked on splint bone, Vet came out stitched up the wound and she seemed fine. Grew a large bony lump on leg, but was sound and competed all summer no problem. She then slipped and fell showjumping and leg was swollen and not sound. Had vet out and thought bony lump might be interfering. Had it xrayed and splint bone was broken. I would have retired as worried about operation, but wasn't an option, bone would have turned necrotic. Had it removed and she never had a problem, sound until she died. Can't remember how long she was off work but don't think it was long.

 

[blodwyn1]

My section c mare was kicked on her right hind and her splint bone was shattered in to three fragments. She was operated on and they were removed and the leg has healed well. It was a lot of rehab but she is sound and unblemished on the leg.

 

[Goldenstar]

Yes one of my mares years ago broke her splint bone had it removed leg washed out to be rid of any fragments the head of bone was left in place .
Six weeks box rest followed by a normal return to fitness programme it never troubled her .

 

[eggs]

Years ago my mare had a nasty break to her splint bone which was not healing so she was operated on to remove it. Made a complete recovery and was back in full work.

 

[tda]

A friend of mine had her pony's broken splint operated on, he made a good recovery, he is now retired thru other unrelated issues

 

[Maxidoodle]

I had a 16.3 horse who fractured his splint with a new owner, he had surgery and after rehab (I’m sorry I can’t recall how long the rehab was), went back to successfully competing (eventing) for many years.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

A horse I bred later had a fractured splint bone with his next owner. It was operated on and he recovered fine, lived into his late twenties.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I had a big lovely irish draft who got kicked in the field, left with a splint. Then got an infection in the bone. Sadly he didnt make it. If surgery is an option, I would do it