Cutting annular ligament

[juliecwuk]

Hi All,

well a month or so ago my horse was referred to liverpool uni due to an ongoing lameness issue (http://www.newrider.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=142167&highlight=moet). My latest vets response after x-rays & scans said that she will never come sound to be ridden again. we took her up to liverpool this week as a final option to see what the specialist says.

after yet more scans etc they found that the annular ligament is twice as thick as it should be, with some sort of ossification/mineralisation within the ligament. however the tendon and tendon sheath appear fine. the previous vet said there was extensive scar tissue between the tendon and tendon sheath, however the specialist doesnt think there is that much but said they would know more if they did keyhole surgery.

they are going to operate tomorrow to cut the ligament and clean any potential scar tissue they find in the sheath. the specialist seems very optimistic about her coming sound again for general/light hacking (which is good since i had decided she was going to have to be sold as a broodmare!). but obviously we will wait and see as i know its not always successful.

anyway does anyone have a horse who has had this operation? was it successful and did the horse come sound after time enough for light hacking?

if you have, do you have any tips for the recovery period? my horse was on box rest for this injury over xmas, she hates being in a stable and double barrels, kicks the door and calls all the time. i am hoping the YO will allow me to put up a small paddock (stable size) in the concrete field shelter so that she doesnt feel so lonely (our new yard doesnt have any horses in the stables during the day), the specialist seems ok with this.

im just a little frustrated, its been almost a year since the injury, the first vet said she had tendon injury, bone chip and ringbone. Then second vet said she had scar tissue in the tendon sheath and will never come sound, and finally the specialist has given me some hope and can maybe do something about it. i only wish the first vet had referred me instead of having to waste over £2000 on treatment that wasnt going to work and a year of a lot of hassle and stress!
thanks
julie

[mrs pdales]

I've just found this thread.Please let me know how you got on as it is likely that my beloved mare is going to need the same op. soon. I waiting for the vet. to re examine on 13th Aug and to make his recommendation then.

[Lgd]

PM Star - she doesn't come on here very often, but she had this done with her Welshy.

[mrs pdales]

PM Star - she doesn't come on here very often, but she had this done with her Welshy.

Thanks I'll do that.oops which star

[Lgd]

Star - nothing else added

[mrs pdales]

Star - nothing else added

Cheers for that I'll look her up

[Snowyboy]

two horses on our yard have had it done (may even be 3??)

one is being bought back into work and the other is coming back into work as a dressage horse! He can't jump yet but that will come

so it def has worked for the two that I know

But its a LONG period of box rest and then long slow rehab, but they'd both say its DEF been worth it

[mrs pdales]

Thanks for all the info. I wait now until 13th August when the vet. revisits and we see how things are going. At least I have all the time in the world and Pearl is fine with her box rest!

[juliecwuk]

just found this thread again, no-body had answered my questions for ages so i gave up looking but thanks!

well she had the op in may, she was on 100% box rest for about 3 weeks, which sent her loopy (she was terrible last time so we were prepared this time!), so then she progressed to stable at night and small stable sized paddock in concrete field shelter during the day. she has had in-hand walking since her stitches came out and she has progressed to being walked for about 1 hour a day on hard/gravel surface. she is much better, very almost sound - which is a massive improvement!

unfortunately i have just broken my arm, i cant drive and so the box/paddock rest and walking has become very difficult. i have now set up a relatively small paddock in her field so that she can be out 24/7 in nice dry weather but continue with the stable/concrete paddock in wet weather. and the walking is only done as&when she is calm (she is very hyper & spooky, i am nervous with my broken arm), but will try to get someone to help me out a bit so she still gets exercise.

so she is doing well but its a bit premature her going into a paddock, but then she was going to have to go out some day so the broken arm forces the issue (i had intended on turning her out in paddock in 1-2 months anyway as i do long hours with work so the winter would be difficult), plus the longer shes on box rest the more extreme she explodes when being turned out (even with sedalin!).

personally, i am glad she had the op as we waited a year to see if she came sound naturally, she didnt so it was unlikely she ever would, so for us the only option was the op. BUT, theres still no guarantee she will come 100% sound anyway, but she has more of a chance now since the op. also i have been told that she will not be able to jump anymore as the tendons are now not as supported as they are without the ligament being cut so theres a greater risk of her re-injurying the leg.

for your info the total cost of the consultants fee/operation/after care cost around £3000. (my insurance covered most of it). but the op itself was only £1600 if your local vet can do it, my horse had to go up to liverpool uni to see the specialist as my local vet didnt do that op.

thanks
julie