Suspensory Ligament Desmitis

[Ginn]

Has anyone had a horse with it?

What were the symptoms?

What was the prognosis?

How was it diagnosed?

Thankies in advance....

 

[ihatework]

Has anyone had a horse with it?
Yes, off hind high suspensory

What were the symptoms?
Slightly unlevel behind when starting work, appeared to work through it though, more of a 'somethings not quite right' feeling than truely lame

What was the prognosis?
Guarded, horse was bred to be a decent event horse, PSD happened at 6yo, horse rehomed as low level competition horse. 4 years on the hock is holding up well, although the horse has suffered different injuries since.

How was it diagnosed?
Nerve blocks and ultrasound

 

[Oldred]

Yes, supposedly (I'm not 100% convinced) high sus des in both hindlegs.
Symptoms: lameness behind, quarters to right, unwilling to trot or canter, worse ridden, bucking.
Prognosis: not a candidate for surgery therefore retired horse (6 year old). Diagnosed with nerve blocks and ultrasound.

 

[star]

my horse had proximal suspensory desmitis in his right hind 4yrs ago. he wasn't really lame, but he was very stiff after standing still from resting that leg so much. this progressed until he was hopping lame after standing still, but he still walked it off. vet came and thought he was just about 1/10 lame, but then she flexed him and he was crippled on that leg. took him into hospital and he had nerve blocks, ultrasound, bone scan, the lot. they didn't really find much and assumed it was the suspensory because he blocked out roughly to that area and they had ruled out everything else. He had 3 lots of shockwave each 2weeks apart, box rest and a very strict controlled ascending exercise programme. He did his 1st dressage test about 7 months after diagnosis and never looked back - it has not caused him a problem since and he was back working at Medium level and jumping 3ft within a couple of years and only that long coz i was paranoid about breaking him. hes' now recovering from an op on his annular ligaments - whether they went because of anything to do with the suspensory i dont know, but again he has come back well and is sound now doing an hour's walk and trot and a little canter.

 

[blaze]

Yes - high sus des in both hindlegs

Horse didn't seem lame to the eye but didn't 'feel' right behind when trotting under saddle - no impulsion at all and felt 'lumpy'. Would not canter in school but was still haring around field, and rearing with no trouble!

Guarded prognosis, as also diagnosed with stifle DJD at same time. Was 3/5 lame on both hindlegs, just unable to limp because of that! Surgery was mentioned as an option, they said it was bad news in a six-year-old but they never spoke of retirement or worse.

Diagnosed at vet hospital by scans, x-rays, ultrasound and nerve blocking. Took five days as lots of nerve blocks required (as both stifles and ligs causing pain). Treated with three sessions of shockwave therapy, two weeks apart, and ligaments improved significantly. Will never be 'normal' but she is in work, pretty pleased with herself and (touch wood) no further treatment, two years on…

 

[BenjaminBunny]

Yes - High on hind legs

No Lameness - just something not right - low angle on pasterns

4 week of shockwave therapy and box rest - with gradual build up of work - currently building in trot work (having a week off cos shoeing went wrong - nail in too high)

diagnosed by vet visit - as i say wasn't lame - it was really his stance (hocks relatively straight and low pastern angle)

so far been about 6 months recovery time
keep fingers crossed

 

[debsflo]

yes both hind leg suspensories reluctant to canter under saddle and bucked a lot if pressed no problem if lunged or loose in field.seen by vet and equine physio who couldnt diagnose ended up going to newmarket for full investigations and problems in both hind suspensories and sacral area.had neurectomy on both hind legs and 4 shockwave treatments on back. 3 months box rest after first two walking out in hand and then paddock rest for month then gradual return to work under saddle.nearly 3 years ago but chose to keep her as a hack as i am neurotic owner .good luck