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  Discussion on Suspensory Adhesions
Author Message
Member:
jamie111

Posted on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 - 2:05 pm:

Hi, Dr. O. Can you tell me the implications of adhesions on a right front leg from the body of the suspensory to the ICL? A horse we're considering adopting has been diagnosed with this injury through ultrasound. He has been slightly off for several months, even after a several month period of rest. Will his lameness be permanent due to the adhesions? Can you explain in more detail what adhesions mean? This is a wonderful horse, and we'd like to be able to do light riding and jumping with him. I'd like to know if even light riding could result in further, more serious injury.

Thanks very much for your thoughts and anyone else's thoughts who has experience with this type of an injury.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, May 3, 2007 - 7:25 am:

Hello Amy,
An adhesion is a tag of inflammatory-created tissue that has adhered to two adjacent structures. It originates in the serum exudate during inflammatory episodes as soluble proteins that coalesce into fibrin. Early on the fibrin is easily torn, which may cause further fibrin production, but with time the fibrin adhesions evolve to a tough scar like connective tissue.

To the degree that the adhesions interfere with normal function you will have lameness but the assessment of this requires careful examination of the adhesion, so the person doing the ultrasound would be the best judge but in general adhesions of the suspensory (usually found between the suspensory and the cannon) create a guarded prognosis for future athletic use. I cannot find any studies of this particular finding however. If that is the only cause of lameness surgery to transect the adhesion may alleviate the lameness.
DrO
Member:
jamie111

Posted on Thursday, May 3, 2007 - 9:04 am:

Thank you for your quick response and your explanation of adhesions. The report said that the suspensory itself has returned to normal size and that there are no lesions. I will speak with a surgeon about the possibility of surgery. What are your feelings on the outcome of such surgery?

Also, one of the vets treating him suggested the possibility of injections. I'm not sure how that would help. What are your thoughts on that?

Thank-you, Dr. O. I appreciate your advice very much.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, May 3, 2007 - 12:45 pm:

If adhesions are the problem, I don't see how injections would help either. What is he proposing to inject? As to the surgery I really don't have anything to base an opinion on but if transection fails you could attempt transection of the check ligament also. Having a equine surgeon review the ultrasonic examination might give you a preop prognosis of the procedure.
DrO
Member:
jamie111

Posted on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 - 4:07 pm:

DrO
Thanks for your response. I was out of town until last night. We went ahead and took the horse without having had a chance to further discuss his case with a surgeon. I'm hoping to hear back from someone this week. I'll keep you updated as to what we find out in terms of treatment options and our horse's condition.

Thanks, again.
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