Bone Spavin
Bone Spavin is the common term for secondary joint disease or osteoarthritis of the hock, and is one of the most common causes of lameness in the hind legs. Usually, the three lower, less movable, joints are the ones that are affected. The disease usually occurs in older performance horses such as Standardbred racers, western performance horses, jumpers and polo horses.
Since the disease is most often bi-lateral, which is to say that it occurs in both legs at the same time, it most commonly presents itself as a general stiffness in the gait. As with humans suffering from arthritis, joint stiffness will be most pronounced in the morning or when first coming out of the stable and will ease during exercise. Swelling on the inside of the hock and uneven wear in the shoes are also useful clues. It will be helpful to review a good hind limb and joint anatomy chart to understand the exact physiology of the hock joint. As with any disorder, it’s advisable to consult with your veterinarian. Since this hock condition begins in the cartilage before degenerating to the bone, and cartilage can’t be seen in x-rays, a radiograph can rule it in during the early stages, but not out. As the bone spavin disease progresses, the space between the bones will become smaller and eventually the smooth edges of the bone will become fuzzy and bone spurs will appear as the body begins to grow new bone to bridge the gaps where the cartilage has disappeared.
The biggest problem with bone spavin is that it hurts. In most cases, the condition will resolve itself: as the disease progresses, the cartilage will completely deteriorate and the bones will fuse. You can see complete fusion in the x-ray shown above. As long as the three lower joints are the only ones involved (which is most common) the horse will eventually regain soundness. Visit the Gladstone Equine library for books that provide more extensive information on
bone spavin.
He needs to be exercised, in order to keep up good muscle tone that will support the joint, and exercise also helps work the joint to keep it warmed up and lubricated. He needs to be monitored by the vet as the condition progresses, and he needs to be properly shod. Since you’re on this website, you know that all horse owners should have a therapy team consisting of the vet, farrier and complimentary therapists.
For this condition,
Low Energy Photo Therapy (LEPT),
is an excellent means to reduce pain and swelling through increasing vascularity and circulation. In addition. LEPT raises the levels of nitric oxide in the area of treatment. Clinical studies by
medical schools
independent research organizations and
Government institutions,
Have confirmed that increases in nitric oxide are required in the healing process, in that they allow nerve synapses to communicate more efficiently, ultimately creating increased circulation and lymphatic flow.
Gladstone Equine can help find and treat your horse’s hock problems painlessly.  Central Virginia’s authorized distributor of the STS-2 Equine Therapy System from Sumerel Therapeutics. To purchase your own system or to schedule an appointment for your horse, Call or email us today – 804.337.7190 |