Joint injections for horses
We all depend on our beloved horses to pack us around and take us to the most fantastic locations, allowing for exploration of our beautiful county. As husbandry and equine medicine become improved our animals are living longer and osteoarthritis is becoming more of a common diagnosis. Osteoarthritis (OA) causes lameness in horses and can affect any joint space and creates pain and discomfort, leading to lameness.
Osteoarthritis is best diagnosed by a veterinarian who can perform a lameness evaluation. They will likely follow up the exam with further diagnostics such as nerve blocks and imaging to help determine the exact location of where discomfort and lameness are coming from. This is extremely helpful in understanding which modality might be most useful for your particular horse and its needs. Because our horses are in different levels of work the treatment protocol will not be the same for every horse.
One of the best and most accepted methods of treating Osteoarthritis is by joint injections into the spaces affected. There are many therapies that can be used within the joint to help manage pain and treat OA. The most common therapy used is steroids in conjunction with hyaluronic acid. This method is the most widely performed and is best for on-farm use. Other options for treatment include biologics, which are products that are derived from the horse itself. These are very successful at helping stop disease progression, but can be difficult to obtain in the field and often need a clinical setting. There are many variables that will impact the best option for you and your horse.
It is recommended to discuss with your veterinarian if joint injection therapy is the best treatment for your horse and its current diagnosis.
“Ask the Vet” is a monthly column written by local veterinarians including Colin Chaves of Covington Creek Veterinary, Karen Novak of Mendocino Village Veterinary, and Kendall Willson of Mendocino Equine and Livestock. Past articles can be found on the Advocate-news and Beacon websites by searching “Ask the Vet.”