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Discussion on Joint Supplement Suggestions for old Hock Fracture
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New Member:
wandab
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 31, 2008 - 12:31 pm:
Hi Dr. O,
I have a 16 yr old TB Mare 3 years out from a clean fracture to the point of the hock. 95 % sound and not yet ridden. I am wanting to start hacking her a bit and I plan to breed her in the Spring. Are there any joint supplements that would help her be more comfortable and are safe for pregnant mares? I am using Surpass cream when she seems sore...should I just keep doing that?She runs, bucks and rears playing in the pasture and was able to carry one colt full term a year after the accident.
Thanks!
Wanda
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Feb 1, 2008 - 6:08 am:
Hello Wanda,
Has the specific cause of the current lameness been diagnosed?
DrO
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Member:
wandab
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Posted on Friday, Feb 1, 2008 - 9:52 am:
No, I assume it is just the way she has healed. It is the same limp she has had since the fracture happened, it has just gotten better. Sometimes there is no limp at all, other times she will hold her leg up and tilted out. This is usually when she has been running and jumping around in the pasture,and/or it is really cold out. It is better in the warmer months but has never gotten to be 100% She has not seen a vet since a follow up a few weeks after it happened. We kept her on stall rest as long as we could but had to turn her out after about 4 to 6 weeks. She would buck and rear in the stall. Even sedated. Because the accident happened in a stall, it was hard to keep her comfortable in the stall. She was on edge ALL the time.
We, the vet and I decided it would be better to turn her out and let nature take its course.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Feb 2, 2008 - 8:18 am:
To know what treatments may and may not help Wanda we need to know the nature of the residual lameness. Though you would think your diagnosis of calcanenal fracture would give us a clue there are many possibilities including poor healing of the fracture site, damage to the flexor tendons and/or plantar ligaments, both of which are intimately associated with the point of the hock. Lastly this bone articulates with other bones of the hock and the trauma of fracture could have induced arthritis.
Until this is clear I am uncertain what treatments and work level would be recommended. Radiographs in combination with a good exam of the area may be all that is needed to get a preliminary diagnosis. But some complications will require ultrasound.
DrO
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Member:
wandab
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Posted on Monday, Feb 4, 2008 - 12:27 pm:
Dr. O,
I understand and will have the vet out for another exam to more fully understand her soreness. Thanks for your help.
Wanda
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