suspensory problems

[kateshowj]

i have just had my 12yr old horse all through the vets as he started uncharacteristically bucking. we did rest and physio but he didnt improve. long story short his back has been x rayed and he has kissing spines, they did scintigraphy and found he had a hot spot on his sacroiliac, then did nerve blocks and found that blocking the suspensorys on both hinds stopped him bucking, the vet suggested this was the primary cause. as we have already done rest the only options are surgery or retirement.The surgery would be the one when they remove the nerve at the top of the ligament on both hind legs and create more space for the ligament to expand. this is such a hard decision,as his lameness is very subtle and he has so much going on, if he had the op we would probably treat the back and sacroiliac with steroids too.

he is a show jumper and i was just looking for information on +ve/-ve experiences and whether anyone has had a horse return to the same level of affiliated competition it was at, and whether they feel that it was worth the trauma for the horse. thanks in advance.

 

[amage]

Why is operate the only option? Ask can they medicate them first and see what kind of success that gives! I've had huge success with medicating the hind suspensories and my mare was back jumping again no problem....she subsequently fractured a sesamoid and that is what retired her.

 

[TwoStroke]

I've not heard of medicating for PSD? Certainly wasn't an option offered to me.

OP I'd be concerned about the other issues (KS & sacroiliac) as imo they probably are the cause of the PSD. Or there is another underlying cause for all of it (what are his feet like?).

 

[Lynsey&Smartie]

They can do shock wave for PSD but I believe that is more effective on new rather than chronic injuries. My horse had the op on one suspensory and has subsequently had sacroiliac problems so we are now going through another lot of rehab work following the sacroiliac being medicated. If you were going to have the op I would have the sacroiliac joint medicated whilst the horse is on box rest after the op.

My horse recovered perfectly well from the operation and if I were you are you are insured I would go for the op.