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  Discussion on Suspensory ligament injury
Author Message
New Member:
Riley94

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 23, 2003 - 4:39 pm:

My horse has a proximal suspensory ligament injury (severity not known to me, but was never very lame) in his front leg. I suspect that we have had this problem on and off for over a year. Diagnosis was made 6 weeks ago (after 3 months of lameness and very light work) when I was told it was 70% healed, and to continue the light work (walk and light trot). He is the type that gallops in his paddock and slams on the brakes at the gate. He does this when he thinks he may be forgotten/is not happy in his paddock. Although we have gained very good control of this behavior now, he appears to reinjure himself (little lameness with increase of trot pace) despite what appears to be prior soundness and controlled exercise. I am afraid (with good reason) that he will lose his mind if I stall him for any length of time. While I am trying to manage both sides of this problem (mental and physical) for him, is there anything (homeopathy, collagen, MSM, Pulsed Magnetic Therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, etc) that may be of benefit to him for a better healing? Is it possible that this is/may become chronic?
Member:
Terivc

Posted on Thursday, Jul 24, 2003 - 12:23 am:

Check into Shock Wave Therapy
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jul 24, 2003 - 7:15 am:

Hello Anne,
I have not had luck treating suspensory injuries without a good stall rest. We have suggestions for difficult to stall horses see » Training Horses » Behavioral Problems » Stall Resting Horses.
DrO
Member:
Riley94

Posted on Friday, Jul 25, 2003 - 10:52 pm:

Thanks for the post. It's so very hard to sit and wait. I waited for years to be able to get this new horse, and his age was a factor as I want to event (he's 9 now). I just feel like I'm never going to get there, and feel with this possibly recurrent problem that he may be predisposed to reinjury.

The other side of this is that he's a lovely horse with fine breeding and is pleasant to work with as well as showing so much great movement - when he has been sound.

I will continue to work with my vet and understand the need for stall rest above and beyond any other treatments.

Anne
Member:
Parfait

Posted on Friday, Jul 25, 2003 - 11:25 pm:

Anne,

Another thing that I have learned from my vet (as you have implied) is that some horses can do damage in the smallest space! So I didn't turn my horse out in the paddock. Period. She went and did flips if she was out there. It just wasn't worth the two minutes of happiness that she wouldn't remember anyway.

The most helpful document I found for rehab was the UC Davis Rehab Protocol, here at this site and although I didn't repete the ultrasounds as frequently as the site advises, I used any sign of heat or inflamation as indicators to lower the work load or continue at the same level for longer. I also found that if I started work on firm ground at a walk (instead or arena footing) then moved from flat to hills then to arena work she did much better. Of course, you might not need all that fussing but should you have some difficulty with starting back to work, these are some things I did the second time that I rehabbed her and they worked!
Good luck with your guy.

Kerry
New Member:
Malw

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 15, 2004 - 7:51 am:

I am looking for anyone who can give me advise on shoeing a standardbred (pacer) to take the pressure from an old suspensory ligament injury?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 15, 2004 - 9:53 am:

Hello Malcolm,
Check out our article, Equine Diseases » Lameness » Diseases of the Lower Limb » Suspensory Desmitis, Strain, & Sprain. The rehab section has information on shoeing.
DrO
Member:
Slmslm1

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 15, 2004 - 3:58 pm:

I have had great success with the use of magnets. My mare was sore in her suspensory & I put magnets on her. It only took a couple of days & she was no longer showing signs of soreness. When we travel I use wrap her legs with magnets & she has not gotten sore with me since that 1st time. (4 years ago)
Sabrina
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Sep 16, 2004 - 7:42 am:

Hello Sabrina,
Many horses with minor ligament injury would have a transient lameness that did not give any further problem. There is no scientific proof for this use of magnets and because there is no well understood mechanism for such an action, I remain skeptical of such uses. Glad to hear your horse has been sound for the past 4 years.
DrO
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