Hock: anatomy and intrarticular injections

Hock Anatomy and the
Intra-articular Hock Blocks of the Horse

by Robert N. Oglesby DVM

Introduction: Joint Descriptions

The name of the joints and a brief description, starting at the top and working down, is:
  • Tibiotarsal joint, junction of yellow and pale blue in the diagrams below.
    • A hinge type joint, it is responsible for flexion of the hock.
    • The largest joint with extensive joint capsules.
    • When the capsules are distended they are easily seen and referred to by such names as bog spavin and throughpin, for more information.
    • Easily injected
  • Proximal intertarsal joint, junction of pale blue and dark green.
    • Fluid communicates with the tibiotarsal joint.
  • Distal intratarsal joint, junction of dark green and pale green.
    • Difficult to inject
  • Tarsometatarsal joint, junction of pale green and yellow.
    • Can be injected dependably with experience.
This article consists of images and descriptions of the anatomy of the hock, including injection sites and topical landmarks of the hocks structures as they appear on the skin.
                       
You have just read the beginning of this article. To access the unabridged article become a Member of Horseadvice.com! Your membership gets you instant access to this and over 600 articles on our site. Other benefits of your membership include participation in our discussion boards and access to our one button PubMed search tool for each topic.

Horseadvice can teach you to be a more knowledgeable horse owner which leads to a healthier horse and save you money. Really, we guarantee it. Come Join Us!
  • This forum is empty.
  • Oh, bother! No topics were found here.
  • You must be logged in to create new topics.