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Discussion on Is there a cure for sidebone?
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 10:01 am:
I still don't know how far it has progressed... I'm assuming not very far since the vet didn't have much to say about it.
What can I do for it? How do I take care of it?
I rode him this weekend FINALLY...it felt so great to be on his back again! So obviously he is sound. I was told he'd have good days and bad days and to treat the bad days with bute. Are there any alternatives out there?
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 - 7:21 am:
I copied this out of an old post and nothing has changed since then:
I think the proper question should be: are sidebones significant? The single most frequent variation of normal in radiographs of the feet of horses is ossification of the collateral cartilages (sidebones). It has been my experience that the vast majority of horses even with advanced side bone but othewise good feet remain sound.
So radiographic evidence of sidebone by itself is not enough to diagnose this as the cause of lameness. There have been incidences of advanced side bone fracturing or developing ostemyeltis and causing lameness but this is not straight forward radiographically. The calcified lateral carticlages are frequently irregular with radiolucent lines that mimic the appearence of fractures and other pathology.
I know of no way to reduce the calcification once started but it may be an indication that the shoeing techniques, particularly support and balance, need to be reassesed.
DrO
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 - 10:01 am:
Thanks Dr. O, I did look for old posts, but somehow this one you reposted escaped me.
Re: shoeing...the new shoer I have moved the shoe back and rolled the toe for the first two shoeings. He has never moved better IMO. For the first time he had heat in his legs -- not cold.
The vet said NOT to set the shoe back -- support the toe -- and not roll the toe. Now his leg is cold from the cannon down. Is this significant?
Also, I read somewhere that you SHOULD roll the toe for sidebone...geesh...so confused.
I know I'm grasping at straws here...but I'm also trying to determine if he was lame at the trot for 3 weeks due to possible road founder or because of the sidebone. The farrier did press on what he thought was the sidebone calcification and Brave did pick up his foot and said "HEY! don't do that!"
BTW, the bleeding/bruising is completely gone now. The farrier said it looks like it's ok now.
The vet won't let me borrow the xrays...either I pay $90 for a report (!!!) or I pay to have them copied. I CANNOT get an answer on how bad the sidebone is. I will NOT be using this vet again!
He is STILL tender on hard ground. My next step is to take him to the vet I trust and get xrays AGAIN, block him and find out what the heck is going on. Am I correct?? Or do I have to wait until he's headbobbing again?
Thanks for help, as always, Dr. O!!!
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Member:
Suzeb
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Posted on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - 12:24 am:
Bummer Aileen 
I don't understand why the vet would not give you a copy of the X-Rays for the farrier to work from.
That would certainly help the farrier in getting your guy balanced out.
Is the ground still hard that you are riding on?
I guess for the shoeing, easing the breakover all around would put the least amount of concussion on your guys foot.
You could also go the Farrier and Hoofcare Resource sister site and run a search on sidebone and see what you come up with.
My guy also has arthritic issues and long term low dose "Bute" doesn't seem to hurt him.
Proper supportive shoeing is your first line of defence.
Keep us posted
Susan B.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - 7:20 am:
Hello Aileen,
what does he want to charge you to copy them? I would think this is your best choice. I have also taken 3.2 megapixel digital photos (camera set to the highest definition) of radiographs on the viewer then moved them into my laptop. Viewing them on the screen is pretty good for all but very light details.
As long as the foot is balanced I don't think rolling the toe is going to make much difference one way or the other. If I understand your posts your horse is getting better at this time and with continued good care and protection from excessive concussion do not know why he would not come sound....with patience.
DrO
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - 10:20 am:
Thanks Dr. O, they want to charge me $50 for copies of the xrays.
Good idea on the digital pics...I'm going to ask that they send them to my "good" vet...hopefully they'll at least do that. I'll get pics of them then so I can show my farrier.
He is getting better. I'm getting more sand in my arena so I can "test" him and work him and hopefully he'll stay sound without being tender.
My last question (I hope...for your sake (;) is:
Is it detrimental to him to work if he's tender?
It's hard for me to tell if he's off in front or behind (hock arthritis)...I know I can work him through the hock with good warmup, but with him being off for so long on his front, I just don't want to make anything worse. I will take it VERY slowly, but he's full of beans - so at some point he'll have to get that out of him.
Do you think he should just have another month off? Just in case? Or maybe just very light walk/trot work for a month? He has a tendency to over exert himself, so I can't go by his attitude -- he loves to work.
Hi Susan! Everyone I've talked with said that's crazy...why did I pay $200 plus for xrays without getting a decent diagnosis?? Oh well....water under the bridge -- I'll work around it somehow..Dr. O gave great suggestions!
It IS a bummer...My first horse and he has cancer, arthritis and sidebone at 11 years of age. I think his sidebone is my fault for having him barefoot and then working him. I have a MAJOR guilty conscience!!
It also doesn't help that he's such a wimp about pain. Some horses are so stoic...not my guy...but I don't blame him, he's been through enough with the cancer. He's the love of my life and I'll do whatever I can to make him comfortable...I just don't want to make any more mistakes.
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Member:
Suzeb
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Posted on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - 11:33 am:
Don't beat yourself up so bad.
Your horse is getting the best care and attention available. Yours!
I am glad to hear that he is getting better and he will stay that way with your loving care.
You are a good "Mom" Aileen and I admire your diligence in finding out how to best care for your horse.
Even the "Best of the Best" will make mistakes along the way. If only our horses could talk to us! 
Good Luck Aileen,
From one worry wart to another
Susan B.
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - 3:29 pm:
Thank you Susan, you always make me feel better! I do try...sometimes too hard...to make his life better, to keep him as healthy as I can. It's so disheartening when it goes awry.
I read somewhere that 6 to 8 weeks off after a sidebone is a reasonable time to recuperate. So I'll just play him by ear/foot (;) do light walk/trot in my arena (deep sand - good footing) and let him be a horse for another 4 weeks. Unless of course he tells me otherwise, then it's off to the vet.
I am going to purchase copies of the xrays...have them evaluated and show my farrier.
Dr. O, please let me know if this plan is a wise course of action. Thank you!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, May 6, 2004 - 8:37 am:
Aileen, sidebone (calcification of the lateral cartilage) does not all of a sudden come on, it is a slow progressive process, usually not painful, and as such does not need rest. If you have had a recent injury to the lateral cartilage the amount of rest depends on the nature and severity of the injury.
DrO
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Thursday, May 6, 2004 - 9:54 am:
Welllll...you are right. As always Dr. O!
I got my new sand delivered yesterday (I had expanded my arena - so part of it was just decomposed granite - that's where he would seem off) lunged him last night to check him, and after being tentative until realizing his feet don't hurt anymore...or his hocks...it's hard for me to tell, he put it into overdrive with no urging whatsoever from me. I think he was showing off for my new filly - and he looked beautiful and SOUND!
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