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[RC] Fusion of Ankle - Bruce Weary DCHi Lisa--I know of rider in the Southwest who has a fused ankle who not only still rides, but even runs a bit with the horse. Fusion outcomes aren't all the same, so the capability of your friend to continue to ride will depend on those same factors that affect the outcome of many different surgeries: Severity of the condition, success of the procedure, success of the fixation device/bony fusion, extent and success of post-surgical rehab, etc.,. Her doctor will be able to give her a good idea of what she can expect. Regarding your horse's back pain, it would be helpful to know how the diagnosis of "arthritis" was arrived at as the cause of back pain. The spine is difficult to x-ray, and palpation alone or symptoms alone aren't enough to make that conclusion. In humans it is widely known that there is no reliable correlation between degenerative (arthritic) changes and the presence of symptoms. There are people with nasty, curved, worn out spines that are pain free, and others with spines that look perfect on x-ray but are in agony. Weight bearing joints (knees, hips, pasterns, etc.,.) can be a different story. Acupuncture has not done well in studies for back pain in people, and I don't know for sure, but the same is likely true of horses. Anti-spasmodics (if you're referring to prescription drugs) don't really have the ability to seek out spastic muscles and turn them off, though the name implies that. They are really central nervous system depressants. Muscles are slaves to the central nervous system and largely do what they are told. When they spasm, it's because the nervous system has made the decision that a body part is unstable or injured and needs more stability and protection. So, it turns up the "tone" in specific muscles to provide that. Usually, when the crisis is over, it shuts off. Sometimes in chronic conditions, a long term spasticity remains until more comprehensive treatment measures are taken to alleviate the underlying cause. Have I put you to sleep yet? It's very important to get an accurate, specific diagnosis that explains your horse's pain. Treatment will be much easier to choose then. Good luck. That will be $50. Please pay at the front desk. Dr Q =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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