Tell me your hind leg suspensory ligament injury stories..

[Eggshells]

Still don't know the full extent as the horse is still at the vets but he has been diagnosed with bilateral hind leg suspensory ligament problems with one leg worse than the other. Responded to nerve blocks, being x-rayed and ultrasounded now.

I know I am jumping the gun as I don't yet know what the vet advises for treatment or what the prognosis is, but I am rather devastated and just want to hear peoples stories - successful or otherwise.

 

[Wagtail]

Is it proximinal just below the hock? If so, I know two that had the operation and both came back into full work.

 

[stencilface]

Mine had psd in his near hind, diagnosed late as he was field sound and initially I was too busy to deal with box rested horse etc. He had a course of 3x shockwave and wore magnetic boots as much as possible, also wore a magnetic rug. I gave him linseed and a herbal rustox, ruta grav and arnica gum spray that was meant to aid circulation. He had 6 months box and small paddock rest with rehab work before he was turned out.

To help with any sacro issues that can go hand in hand with psd he was treated by both a chiro and an osteo every 3 months. For a year,

That was in 2011 and was given the all clear from the vets then. Afaik it has not re injured

 

[Eggshells]

Thank you both for your responses. Just spoken to the vet - xrays showed minor changes in the bone consistent with proximal (I think!) damage. He is on box rest, bute and in hand walks and being re-assessed in a month. Vet says we caught it early so should respond well to treatment. Shock-wave therapy is a possible option. I'm mainly worried that he won't cope with box rest. He is a big lad and goes a bit stir crazy when he can't get out.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Still don't know the full extent as the horse is still at the vets but he has been diagnosed with bilateral hind leg suspensory ligament problems with one leg worse than the other. Responded to nerve blocks, being x-rayed and ultrasounded now.

I know I am jumping the gun as I don't yet know what the vet advises for treatment or what the prognosis is, but I am rather devastated and just want to hear peoples stories - successful or otherwise.

Only tendon sheath issues in hind legs dealing with that at moment.

 

[Eggshells]

Only tendon sheath issues in hind legs dealing with that at moment.

Ah - I can relate with that too! The same horse had that about 7 months ago. Hard swellings just above the fetlock. He was injected with Steroids and something else that was supposed to help lubricate, box rested for 10 days, restricted turn out for a couple of weeks and then brought back into work. He still has noticeable swelling in that area but they are now soft and haven't caused any more problems or lameness issues.

Hope yours improves xx

 

[BethH]

Think my horse is about to be diagnosed too, suspected on xrays, is going for bone scan Tuesday, am very nervous about his prognosis. However, as usual before I get a confirmed diagnosis, I have been investigating options. Also a very kind H&H'er told me about the "PSD discussion group" on facebook which has been very helpful. If diagnosed and depending on how old/what state the initial injury is, I am going to ask to investigate Platelet Replacement Plasma & also look at shockwave as my preferred route of treatment. I have also emailed ARCEquine to see if they think there unit can help with this type of problem.

Because my horse has KS history and have a great love of life, I wouldn't do any op's to cut nerve's as if he feels no pain, he will larape around like an idiot before he is healed and cause himself all sorts of problems, but I might consider having some work on the ligament itself, think they call it a fascio something or other if I get really desperate - apparently good success rate with this??

Horrible thing for a horse to be diagnosed with - fingers crossed for you that it is minor and easily resolved - good luck

 

[Kelpie]

I've been through all this with one of mine recently, so you're welcome to ask me any questions. Basically in the end rest didn't do anything so we have now done the surgery, though too early to say if it has worked.