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  Discussion on Risk of reinjury to healed suspensory ligament
Author Message
Member:
Mbh851

Posted on Friday, Apr 15, 2005 - 9:35 pm:

DrO,

I have appreciated your help before in assessing an issue that came up in a horse I was considering for purchase. Now I have a question about another horse.

I was looking at a 6 yo gelding with a history of an old suspensory ligament strain. My impression was that it was quite early in life and had not been a problem after the horse returned to work. When I contacted the original owner, the story was more worrisome. She told me the horse (then 4) had just begun jumping and came up lame after a jump. There was some bruising on the left hind, and when it wasn't better, the evaluation showed a proximal suspensory injury. The horse was off for a year (don't know what the rehab program was) and returned to work. He worked for 6 months schooling up to 2 foot jumps as well as flat work and was then sold to the present owner who has done only limited work with him in the six months she has had him.

He appears sound now but the injury was apparently pretty bad and he still has scar tissue. He also has long pasterns which I understand can predispose to this.

I was scheduled to bring him on trial but have deferred that for now. The horse is lovely with good breeding, wonderful gaits and an affordable price. However, I have serious doubts about proceeding if there is even a moderate risk of reinjury as it sounds as though it can be a devastating problem. I can get the records from the original vet who followed him through the whole episode for review for more information.

I have read the article on suspensory desmitis and the proximal hind seems like the area with the worst prognosis. I didn't find anything about the risk of reinjury though. If the horse has been sound in the year since returning to work, although not in work yet to the level I would hope to go with him (1st to 2nd level dressage and jumping to 3 feet), is that an indication that he is recovered and this is no longer an issue or is there an increased risk of future problems?

Thanks for your input. I'd welcome responses from any others who have dealt with this as well.

Linn
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Apr 16, 2005 - 10:47 am:

The reason hind limb suspensories are worse prognostically is that it usually indicates an inherent weakness in the leg. Yes you have an increased chance of recurrence but without looking at the horse it is difficult to judge whether it is significantly increased. Conformation and ultrasound of the injured structures should give you a better idea.
DrO
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