AlexRookyard
New User
Hi everyone! First time posting here but looking for some advice/help please 
My 14yo boy was diagnosed with marked changes in both hocks back in November. He was never noticeably lame to the untrained eye, but i could just feel he wasn't right 100% to ride and so got the vet out for an assessment. We nerve blocked and he appeared much more comfortable so the vet said we would investigate and when she saw the X-rays she was rather supervised at the extend of it as the joints had already started to narrow. So, we decided to medicate and the usual steroids and OSPHOS were given and he felt amazing for 3-4 months but he gradually started to feel short behind and a little uncomfortable and tense at times. He is still not lame but again, just not quite right.
Called the Vet again and explained everything and she has spoken to Vet Surgeon who has said he would be a prime candidate for Hock Fusion Surgery (the drill kind) Apparently it takes about 12-18 months to fully fuse but by then he will be totally pain free and will be able to do low level dressage, low level jumping and basically any thing really.
It sounds very invasive though, it's a very long rehab and i've read places that some have not been successful so i would love to hear from an owner perspective of any experiences they may have had?
It's obviously a huge decision and he's still only young. I've been told by the vet we can continue with steroids but the time between will get less and less and he will only get worse as the arthritis progresses.
Thanks in advance!
My 14yo boy was diagnosed with marked changes in both hocks back in November. He was never noticeably lame to the untrained eye, but i could just feel he wasn't right 100% to ride and so got the vet out for an assessment. We nerve blocked and he appeared much more comfortable so the vet said we would investigate and when she saw the X-rays she was rather supervised at the extend of it as the joints had already started to narrow. So, we decided to medicate and the usual steroids and OSPHOS were given and he felt amazing for 3-4 months but he gradually started to feel short behind and a little uncomfortable and tense at times. He is still not lame but again, just not quite right.
Called the Vet again and explained everything and she has spoken to Vet Surgeon who has said he would be a prime candidate for Hock Fusion Surgery (the drill kind) Apparently it takes about 12-18 months to fully fuse but by then he will be totally pain free and will be able to do low level dressage, low level jumping and basically any thing really.
It sounds very invasive though, it's a very long rehab and i've read places that some have not been successful so i would love to hear from an owner perspective of any experiences they may have had?
It's obviously a huge decision and he's still only young. I've been told by the vet we can continue with steroids but the time between will get less and less and he will only get worse as the arthritis progresses.
Thanks in advance!