We have a diagnosis - it is PSD

alsxx

alsxx

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Well Ellie Monster went to vets today to try and work out what is making her (ever so slightly) lame...Just had a call and sod's law she was apparantly barely lame - much better than last time (where she was only 1 -2 10ths lame) after another week on box rest - amazing considering she decided to fall off the ramp this morning when we got to the vets!!! Ultrasound apparantly showed slight distension over the ligament, and there was still the pain when they pressed over the area.

So in a way hopefully its good that she was slightly better...but he is going to give her a cortraphen (sp?) injection today, and then she is to have one every week to 10 days for the next 5 weeks. I need to keep her on box rest but start walking her out in a weeks time for 20 mins and build it up, and then start some trotting at 6 weeks and see how we go for another 6 weeks after that. All the time on box rest
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... stocked up on more of those bloody likits earlier too!

Obviously they have advised me that she may not come right or, may re-injure it, in which case it will probably have to be the surgery route. So I guess we just wait and see really
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On the positive side, I spoke to my mum earlier and she said that if she doesnt come back to full soundess, she will have her at home to use as a light hack (and with my mum light = walking round the 30 min block!) so at least if worst comes to the worst she can stay in the family but I can still then afford to get something else (as I cant afford to keep 3!!).
 
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welcome to the club!
Which leg is it?
Hinds don't tend to heal as well as fronts. I went down the surgery route last October, and he's back to 2 hour hacks 5/6 times a week and an hours lessson once a week, including a little jumping
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Good luck, take your time, and fingers x she will be good as new!
 
It is a hind which through reading up on the net and what he said earlier I know isnt the best one for it to be.

No he didnt mention shockwave treatment...though if she doesnt come 100% sound or gets worse at least they already have surgery in mind, which from what I have read seems to be quite successful. I guess its 3 months to wait and see.

Out of interest, I'd love to know how much these injections cost! I hope my insurance company pay out for all of this!!
 
See by all means have the cartrophen, but I would ask for shockwave to be done at the same time if you are going to do a 'wait and see' type treatment rather than surgery straight off. Insurance should pay out anyway.
Weird, I always though cartrophen was for OA type conditions
 
definitely have shockwave - it's far more likely to work than cartrophen.

they tried using cartrophen in my horse when he did his annular ligaments but it did bugger all. I've seen good results with it in dogs with arthritis, but never convinced how exactly it's meant to help ligament injuries. shockwave on the other hand is a gift from god for PSD. my horse had PSD in his right hind and had 3 lots of shockwave. 6mths later he was sound and back in full work.
 
See I'm all for her having shockwave from what I've read and what you guys have been saying but so baffled as to why my vet didn't even mention it as an option!? From reading on the net I saw no mention of using cartrophen for PSD...

And I find the prospect of phoning and asking quite daunting...I'll prob ask when he comes out next wk for 2nd injection. I guess I could get a second opinion but I'd rather discuss it with current vet first off before going down that route. Yes I'm a complete wuss!
 
The cynic in me would say they don't have a shockwave machine .....
But now most poper equine practices do have this, so I would be asking some probing questions as in my (non-qualified) opinion they are not offering you the best treatment for this condition.
Don't be a wuss, call and ask them - thats why you pay their wages
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They probably don't have one but I do think they could have at least referred her elsewhere...surely? I just feel uncomfortable questioning their decision! He's not there today so I think I may just wait till he comes out next week.

Then I'm wondering if its chronic maybe that's why they haven't advised shockwave - can it be used successfully on chronic cases? Assuming it is, again they haven't mentioned either way! Ugh so many questions!!
 
shockwave is less successful in chronic cases, but TBH most cases are ongoing to some degree. not sure when my horse's started - i'd noticed him getting stiff when he walked off after being stood still for several weeks, gradually getting worse - just put it down to old age at first. he responded fab to shockwave. i always think it's worth a go. works out about £3-500 for 3 lots, done 2wks apart under sedation. far more likely to work than cartrophen.
 
Thanks that's useful to know! I think she has had it a while as we have had some schooling issues and she had become quite naughty and unresponsive to hack over the last 3 months.

I'm going to suggest it to vet on thurs and also ask if we could think about the surgery option now. I'm just worried that she will come sound and then it will go again when I'm out of my year on the bloody insurance - and then I will have to pay for an operation myself! If that makes sense!
 
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I'm just worried that she will come sound and then it will go again when I'm out of my year on the bloody insurance - and then I will have to pay for an operation myself! If that makes sense!



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I'm currently wondering the same thing. My horse isn't actually lame. She just started refusing at fences which is quite out of character. She is having her last shockwave treatment next week. She's been getting hers a week apart. At the moment I'm just hacking her out and as she isn't lame its difficult to say whether its making any difference or not. She's certainly very keen. She has much more energy than her workload LOL! She has to go back for a scan a few weeks after the treatment finishes so I suppose if the ligament looks less swollen then hopefully that means it has worked - although it could still be due to the reduction in her workload too I suppose.
For my situation I'm not really going to know until I start jumping again and thats not for 6 months (only about another 5 mths to go and counting!) If it hasn't worked or flares up again there is a good chance this might be excluded off my insurance policy by then.
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Shockwave is much better for acute injuries as so far all studies have found the benficial effects are from localised pain relief rather than actually healing the ligament/tendon. It may help with healing- just the mechanics of how haven't been discovered yet. It certainly isn't appropriate in all cases - and I would question the vets who use it on everything (maybe they have expensive equipment and so have to use it!). If your vets haven't suggested it then by all means discuss it with them but they may have felt it wasn't an appropriate course of action for your horse. Unfortunately time is the main treatment needed with these types of injuries! and thats the frustrating part.
 
I'm so sorry to hear that hon but welcome to the club!!!!
Alee had her first shockwave last monday and is due to have it every fortnight for 6 weeks. She will then be reasessed and if remains lame we will consider surgery. She is now on week 2 of her box rest and for a baby is coping very very well.
I have read and re-read every piece of research on PSD I have asked more than enough people for advice and still feel that I don't know enough. If you need to chat or just vent off just PM me. Good luck
 
Mine has had surgery in both hinds after shockwave only gave temporary relief (went lame again after started jumping). He had the RH done in Feb and did his first event of the year at the end of August. I'm really glad I went for surgery as it was very uncomplicated and has been a successful and relatively quick recovery both times.
 
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