Surgical hock fusion - any experience?

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Leanne1980

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My 8 yr old mare has been diagnosed with advanced changes in her hock. We have tried two lots of osphos and steroids but everything is shorted lived. The initial treatment makes her a different horse temperament wise. Soon as it wears of the grumpiness comes back. Vet has suggested surgery to help fuse the hock. As anyone experienced this before? What's the outcome? Costs and rehab? Thanks
 
Kinnygirl opted for the same procedure as a friend who had her WB's hocks fused with ethanol. Surgery always seems a bit drastic when chemical arthrodesis can be used. Its around £300-£400 for both hocks to be fused chemically which includes all the xrays, etc.

The difference is that surgical arthrodesis is removal of the cartilage lining the joint with the use of an electric drill. It think it accelerates fusion quicker than chemical arthrodesis which encourages fusion but can take around 3 -12 months and sometimes up to 8 months to achieve and is achieved by injecting the joint with ethanol (alchohol). A rehab plan has to be put in place and the horse has to do a certain level of work quite quickly to encourage fusion. I don't know how much it would cost to have the procedure done surgically.

I wonder why your vet hasn't suggested having chemical arthrodesis for your horse instead?
 
Speak to your vet about all your option. There is no one answer for what will help and depends on the severity. I had one who has the ethanol fusion, it didn't work so our only option would have been surgery. I decided against this as horse had other issues and wouldn't put him through more surgery. He is now sound, although hocks not fused (confirmed by X-ray) an all I have done is change a supplement (probably placebo effect anyway!) And change my approach to riding and how I work him. He now schools and does a small amount jumping. Grumpy behaviour gone. The surgery can work for some but I also know of cases where it hasn't. I think every case is very individual and it needs to be looked at as a whole picture. Good luck
 
I spoke with the vet when we originally went down the osphos and steroids route. At this point I suggested ethanol as my previous horse had been treat with it. Unfortunately it was unsuccessful but there were other issues. The vet said he hadn't had much success with ethanol and has had more success with surgery. I realise it is a lot more invasive and not a decision to rush into. Just keen to hear if any others had gone this route. The vet feels my mare is a good candidate due to age and severity of the changes.
 
HB the ethanol fusion actually failed for kinnygirl if you read the whole thread, Stanley had surgery see post #111 on that thread.

I'd crack on with surgery if it were mine, the success rate for ethanol doesn't seem great.
 
Interestingly I can't remember many others that have posted about it to point you to, I think because- especially if they are older- the other options last long enough for retirement to then seem viable and/or the horse gets issues in other joints so the horse goes on bute instead.

I mostly say this because if you do go ahead it would be useful to have an update to point people to in future as I think Kinnygirl's thread was very interesting and helpful to others, I have copied it a few times for people.
 
Yes of course I will it's useful to share and learn from each other. Just concerned about the amount of box rest and rehab needed. I'm going to the vets tomorrow so will discuss with them.
 
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