MOST horse owners are familiar with joint injections. "I get his hocks done every year," is a phrase we've all heard, accepted, and just moved on. But what does this really mean? Is it right, or even necessary?
Joint injections are technically known as intra-articular injections and are often referred to as intrasynovial injections. Intrasynovial injections also include injections into other synovial structures that are not joints specifically but are closed synovial compartments, such as tendon sheaths or bursae.
Joint injections allow for localised, targeted treatment of a specific area, maximising the dose of medication at the target site and minimising any potential systemic effects. They are used to reduce inflammation and therefore pain, which results in an improvement and often resolution of lameness.
They improve flexibility and the horse’s ability to train key muscle groups. In some cases they can even be disease-modifying.
Joint injections can be used both to improve comfort and consequently welfare, and to ultimately enhance performance levels in our equine athletes.
AT A GLANCE
EQUINE joints are made up of cartilage, bone and soft tissue, all of which have injury potential. The different types of joint include:
High-motion, such as the fetlock or stifle joints
Low-motion, such as the lower hock (tarsometatarsal and centrodistal) joints
Fibrocartilaginous, for example the sacroiliac joint
Injuries to any of these structures cause inflammation. Joints may appear puffy (joint effusion) due to increased production of joint (synovial) fluid. Further clinical signs may include heat, pain on flexion with a reduced range of motion and, of course, lameness.
This story is from the April 11, 2024 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 11, 2024 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Super subs
Can a huntsman take on a different pack of hounds for a day and produce good sport? It can indeed happen,as Andrew Sallis explains
Welsh star is on the dot
A delightful Welsh section A leadrein contender is the best of a super-strong novice supreme on his winter championships debut
Edwards' remarkable home-soil hat-trick
The Welsh wonder Mark Edwards dazzles on home soil and a syndicate horse does his owners proud
The King retains his crown
Global superstar King Edward joins the ranks of such legends as Milton and Shutterfly as a back-to-back World Cup winner
Kittel takes thriller
Patrik Kittel becomes the second Swedish rider to win a World Cup Final, while the British favourite is eliminated
The start of something special
Royal Windsor is often a show horse's first experience of an electric atmosphere. Alex Robinson learns how the pros use the prestigious fixture to see if an animal has what it takes for the big league
Sore jaws
True pathology of the temporomandibular joint is an uncommon cause of a number of relatively common signs. Robyn Graham MRCVS explains how the problem is identified and treated
Safari guide
Natalie McComb owns Nile Horseback Safaris, leading expeditions through the Ugandan wilderness
Access all areas Tim and Jonelle Price
New Zealand's premier eventing couple are in their second season based at the impressive Chedington Estate. Pippa Roome finds out how they work together and their plans for this Olympic year
Running at a loss, even if you win
Jodie Hall McAteer weighs up the pros and cons of jumping abroad