Suspensory ligament injury.

[Trio]

My horse has been diagnosed with proximal suspensory desmitis :mad: - he has an inflamed suspensory ligament possibly been there a long time but not shown up until his work load increased (he stood in a field for 2 years before i got him!!) .
Anyone have a horse with this type of injury and what was their recovery rate like? i've been told to DMSO and ultrasound him every day and that he will be off for at least 3 months.:eek:
Any tips for quicker healing appreciated as he's gaining weight fast as he's not doing anything and the grass is good

[GoneBust]

My horse is still in the middle of recovering from his! It takes a long time!

He has now been on box rest for 6 weeks. He started with having shockwave therapy once a week for the first three weeks. Then the 4th week we could start to walk him round the stable block and back gradually increasing to 10 minutes walking (in-hand) by the end of the week. He then when back to the vets for a second scan - he had improved loads! Then our plan for the following four weeks is 1st week 10 minutes walking moring and night - he then managed to cut himself badly by being silly - so that has put us back a further week! So we have just started with the 10 minutes walking again - then next week it will be 20 mins walking moring and night. Then in a couple of weeks he can be turned out in a small area (4 x the size of his stable) with 15 mins walking morning and night, that is for two weeks then we are back up to the vets for another scan - that will be the 2 month mark! So i am guessing we will probably still have further to go.

If you have any other questions PM me if you wish.

[Trewsers]

Our Joe damaged his suspensory ligament before xmas, he's only just coming back into work and progress is slow, you cannot rush it. Box rest was about 3 / 4 months then into a tiny tiny paddock. Had a few set backs when he escaped but fortunately its on the mend still. I think rest is the only cure and being careful. We can start some trot on hacks within the next couple of weeks.

[Trio]

thanks gonebust have pm you.

Hi Trewers- i don't get the suspensory injury thing- everyone elses horses seem to be on box rest but Jo's is turned out in a small paddock by himself- he can be walked in hand and i have been given an ultrasound machine to use with him and also DMSO to paint on.
What damage did Joe do to himself- do you know if it was a sprain or torn etc and what does the SWT do - my vet hasn't mentioned this yet although i have read that its the most effective way of treating a susp injury :confused: very very confused!!

[Trewsers]

We don't really know how Joe managed to damage his ligament - it all happened so quickly, he was in the winter turnout paddock with Storm as usual and I can only think cos it was full of deep ruts and potholes that is how he did it, tearing around perhaps if something set him off? We'll never be sure. That night OH was riding him and he just didn't feel right - looked bad too so OH got off immediately and called vet next morning. It wasn't torn just damaged. We had many many scans! Thankfully we are insured so most of the treatment has been covered, but its been a long haul! OH has really missed riding him - its taken forever (feels like it anyway).
I don't know anything about shock wave therapy - my vet didn't use that or suggest it. Box rest was the only thing prescribed and of course painkillers at first.

[dcp]

My horse had an operation in January he was way past shockwave therapy etc. We trotted for the first time in months yesterday. He's doing really well. I don't know much about the condition at your stage.

My boy has really straight hocks and he may of been worked really hard (trotter) in the past putting a lot of strain on his legs.He had his op, 4 wks box rest, walking in hand, physio, careful shoeing, gradual riding/exercise programme and we're getting there.

Have you been in touch with a physio?

[Trio]

it does seem to be a softly softly thing with this type of injury- no magic cures unfortunately.

dcp: my boy sounds like yours- very straight hocks- its the first thing the vet said when he looked at him! but he hasn't been worked at all really- he was a happy hacker with an elderly lady for most of his life and then i got him so he's had it pretty easy.

i haven't had a physio out yet as he's still undergoing the vet treatment and i've got to do another course of DMSO and ultrasound next week then we're having more scans- but if there has been no improvemnt then i may well get one out- won't hurt to get more opinions on it!

I do have to change his shoes to move the breakover point as this isn't helping him - may just go barefoot .

Good luck with yours - hope you get there after all the hard work!:)

[dcp]

Although my situation is different I have to say my physio has been a great help and she's been involved as much as the vet. Get in touch with one and you can all work together.