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  Discussion on Arthrodesis coffin joint
Author Message
Member:
rosieint

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 13, 2016 - 7:24 pm:

Hello,

I would be grateful for your opinion. I have a horse and much loved pet with severe arthritis in the coffin joint. I believe the joint is close to natural fusion but I would be grateful for your opinion - i attach a copy of the xrays. I am hoping that fusion will give pain relief to the horse and he may get a new lease of life? I suppose the joint would get stiffer when fused so lameness becomes worse but the pain decreases? Would walking with a fused coffin joint be difficult as range of motion is decreased? Would this decrease in range of motion make walking difficult and a horse reluctant to walk or is the reluctance an indication of pain? I am trying to understand the biomechanics as i keep a very close eye on his movement and pain levels to ensure he has quality of life and is not kept going for self centered reasons.

I dont suppose other than anti inflammatories there is much else to give pain relief? The cause of the arthritis was sepsis from infection caused through steroid injection and subsequent key hole surgery and flush 6 years ago. My vets are cautious about any further joint medication. Perhaps seeming as we are at the final stage of copibg with current pain level, that joint medication may be worth a try?
I would be grateful for any ideas for pain reduction. He is currently on Previcox daily, and compagel topically and ice packs when he has a flare.

Thank you in advance for your advise.

Very best wishes.

Rosie

Ps i have tried to upload an xray but unfortunately even though i have changed the settings to make the image as small as possible, the image still exceeds the limit. Can i send you the xrays via email perhaps?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Jan 15, 2016 - 2:17 pm:

Hello Rosie,
Unfortunately the coffin joint will not fuse naturally, there is too much motion. We discuss attempted surgical fusion of the coffin joint in the article associated with this discussion area, you will find it discussed under "Fusion of High Range of Motion Joints". Following successful fusion there will be altering of your horse's gait but he would be much more comfortable. As to pain reduction medically it sounds like you are doing about all that is possible and I don't recommend nerving horses with unstable and therefore progressive injury.
DrO
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