Arthritis is a term that means "joint inflammation" and so refers to many different disease processes of the joint. Ringbone is more accurately referred to as osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, because of the bony changes around the joint. Because these joints have minimal soft tissue covering them, these bony changes can be seen as hard swellings in the distal pastern in advanced cases. Unfortunately ringbone is a common problem in horses and difficult to treat. This article addresses the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for ringbone.

There are a number of firm swellings of the pastern and coronet that are not associated with lameness, including:

• Nonarticular bony enlargements of the pastern bones
• Subluxation of the coffin joint secondary to a poor ap balance of the foot
• Enlargement of the extensor process of the coffin bone.
• Fibrosis of the tendons or ligaments and there insertions

It should be noted that even if not lame now some active nonarticular bony changes can spread to the joint and induce a arthritis. These type swellings are usually easily investigated with radiographs and ultrasound although occasionally diagnostic anesthesia and magnetic resonance imaging might be required to explore a lesion's significance when lameness is present.