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  Discussion on Serious fetlock joint injury & infection
Author Message
New Member:
Curvy

Posted on Thursday, Feb 17, 2005 - 7:38 pm:

My gelding had an accident which resulted in a cut to the Fetlock joint. He's been in the hospital for 17 days now. 3 days passed after the injury occured before he received veterinary care. He's been lavaged 4 times and is receiving antiobiodics and anti-inlfammatories. It was noted during the second lavage of day two in the hospital, the hole in the joint had closed on it's own. He's been extremely lame with only a few days here and there of improvement followed by relapses. Xrays showed no bone damage. On day 6, he was referred to a different hospital where they have the capability to "scope" the joint. However, due to cellutlitis, the scope was postponed. From two ultrasounds performed a week apart, the vet wasn't convinced the scope was going to help but said he'd always wonder if he didn't do it....so he did it yesterday. Obviously his judgement based on the ultrasounds was wrong since he removed significant Fibrin from the joint. He was able to get a sample of the synovial fluid to test today and they're going to culture the fibrin which will take a few days. He did say that the joint capsule is very thick and aggrevated but that the cartlidge and bone looked good. I asked if the leg is in a cast and he said, no, it's in a heavy support wrap. Should he be in a cast? I really wonder if my guy is going to pull through this and to what extent he will recover. Will he end up with DJD? Is he susceptible to founder? He is definately carrying his weight oddly. The ultrasounds did show a small tear to the collateral ligament and a significant lack of fluid. The hospital is two hours away from me and I'm only able to visit on Saturdays.

Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Feb 17, 2005 - 10:30 pm:

I am sorry to hear this about your horse, Laurie. The prognosis for a return to soundness is guarded because of the likelyhood of developing DJD in a joint that has been this inflammed for this long. There are too many factors unknown to prognose the chance for founder but a big horse non-weight bearing on a front leg for a week or more has a good chance of foundering on the sound side.

I would be very slow to put a infected joint under a cast, it could make things worse. You need to be able to visually assess what is going on daily with the joint.
DrO
Member:
Curvy

Posted on Friday, Feb 18, 2005 - 11:32 am:

Thank you for responding. The report this morning is that he's walking better. We're hoping the trend continues. I'm going to visit my boy tomorrow.
Member:
Curvy

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 9, 2005 - 4:56 pm:

Update: My gelding was released from the clinic on Feb 26th. We've finished the antibiodicts and bute and began handwalking and flexing exercises last Sunday. There is VERY reduced range of motion in the fetlock. Vet said it's due to scarring in the joint capsule. Is that what's considered DJD? I'm wondering what your thoughts are on how much range of motion will return. Will the exercises help?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Mar 10, 2005 - 7:47 am:

No, DJD is where there is damage to the cartilage with bony changes in the joint. It sounds more like the infection was outside of the joint rather than intra-articular.

Certainly the exercises will help but without examining the joint I cannot predict how much. What do the folks who have actually examined the joint say LG?
DrO
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