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  Discussion on 3 year olds knees normal?
Author Message
New Member:
jackiew

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 - 8:38 pm:

Hello, I've got 3 year old (march), 17 H TB. He is sound and in light work a few days/week, and was never raced.

He has bony 'points' on his knees, observable from the side. Very similar to this picture I pulled off someone else's post (this is NOT a picture of his leg). Only, his are slightly smaller and lower at the bottom of the knee. It is more noticable on the RF which turns out slightly. It appears to be a spot where there is normally "something there", i.e. not a normally flat part of the knee, his just seem pronounced. I was looking for a diagram of the equine carpus to see if I could better describe it's location on the knee. I've only owned him since Nov, and just really noticed this a few weeks ago. He had been field boarded all winter. It's one of those things, that I say to myself, "I'm sure I would've noticed that before, so is it new, or did I not notice it??" So I am not sure how long the knees have been this way...but he is sound, no heat, no swelling, no tenderness. I'm just concerned because he is big (and has just gone through another growth spurt) Any thoughts are much appreciated. I'll have to get some pix tomorrow to post.
similar in shape, but my horse's are smaller and lower
Member:
scooter

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 - 8:57 pm:

Hi Jackie is it possible your horse has a cold splint? Here's the article on it.

https://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/4/5353.html
New Member:
jackiew

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 - 9:48 pm:

No, they are not splints. It's on the front of the knee at the bottom, seems to be in the area of the third carpel bone/collateral lig/intercarpel lig. It is on both knees as well, same spot, just ever so slightly larger on the right front. However, it is bony and not soft.
New Member:
jackiew

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 - 11:16 pm:

I'm trying to load some old photos (taken Sept 08) to give you an idea of what/where. The pix aren't great so it is hard for me to compare them to what I am seeing now, but at least the area is pinpointed so all will see what I am talking about. As I said this area of the knee is not normally flat, it's just that it appears larger than my other horse's. A side view now clearly shows the bumps. I will take current pix tomorrow afternoon, but if there are initial impressions, let me know! I'm just anxious as he is a big fast growing guy.
New Member:
jackiew

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 - 11:22 pm:

fall 08

Figured out how to make picture a size that could be downloaded. This was in Fall 08, showing the areas I'm talking about.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 - 7:12 am:

Hello jacqueline,
The image of your horse show a prominence at the level of the distal row of carpal bones. I do think a image with less angulation and foreshortening might confirm the location and comparing with new images gives us an idea if this is getting worse, but the diagnosis of cause will take a knowledgeable person palpating the area. For more on the anatomy of this area see References » Equine Illustrations » Leg Anatomy and Conformation » Knee (Carpus): skeletal and superficial anatomy. Note in particular the flexed lateral view. Picking up the leg and placing the cannon between your knees allows you to separate and carefully palpate the different joints of the knee and one of the best ways to define irregularities of the knee.
DrO
New Member:
jackiew

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 - 7:05 pm:

Ok here are pix, I will also check out the reference you included in your post. The pix are all of the right knee, although both are essentially the same.
Member:
jackiew

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 - 7:07 pm:

Here is a side view, with paper held behind the knee for contrast.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Apr 23, 2009 - 7:07 am:

Good Photos Jacqueline, the flexed view is particularly helpful. This is really not a bump. The face of the knee (carpus) DrOps straight then at the level of the junction of the carpus to the metacarpus it cuts back in then continues straight. The bilateral nature and smooth conture proximal to the deviation are consistent with this being the conformation of this horse.
DrO
Member:
jackiew

Posted on Thursday, Apr 23, 2009 - 7:05 pm:

Thanks, Dr. O, that is a relief!
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