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  Discussion on Swollen knees - metaphysis
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 28, 2001 - 12:59 am:

HELP! We have a 13 month paint/thouroughbred gelding whose knees (especially left knee) have been enlarged since he was 6 months. At the beginning of this summer he was out on pasture but about 6 weeks ago his knees started swelling more so he now spends his time in the coral only. He receives some pretty worthless hay and 1/4 coffee can of rolled oats with Fluid Flex (glucosamine chonDrOitin)- The x-ray shows it is the cartilage that is enlarged and the vet could not feel fluid although the knee is warm. The vet just put him on bute yesterday - 1 gm /2x day and MSM. He is about 14-1/2 to 15 hands and we were told he is growing too fast for his bones to support his weight. He is by no means overweight - he actually seems skinny with every rib showing. Should we wrap his knees or use DMSO or what? He just seems to be getting worse. (His hocks are a little big too) I would love any suggestions!
Thanks - Mary

Posted on Thursday, Jun 28, 2001 - 7:28 am:

Is he lame Mary? Would it possible to post pictures of the knees. Views from in front and the side would be great.
DrO

Posted on Friday, Jul 27, 2001 - 10:46 pm:

Here is a link to look at the pictures. https://www.preventx.com/rhett/
Thanks.

Posted on Sunday, Jul 29, 2001 - 11:00 am:

Hello Mary,
There is remarkable enlargement of the medial aspect of the radial physis. I don't think excessive weight of the horse is responsible but I do think localized trauma, probably chronic, could have caused the localized changes. I could conjecture excessive running about on legs with flexural or lateral-medial deformities when he was young as a possible cause or possible conformational problems that are stressing these areas.

There is evidence for the the conformational theory from other problems that may be in the photo:
Remarkable outward rotation of the right fore and mild to moderate flexural contracture, most likely of the carpal flexors.

I also think your diet is deficient in protein and calcium for a growing horse. Now you may be pursing a modified low caloric diet for some of these problems but you still should keep the protein percentage, and absolute mineral and vitamin levels correct. These may be exacerbating the physeal problems. For more on such diets see Equine Diseases: Foal Diseases: Tendon Laxity and Contracture.

Take heart we see such physeal problems pretty commonly in growing foals and as long as managed intelligently do not see lasting effects. However the flexural deformity is a bit tougher to address is one this age. Again I refer you to the article on Tendon Contracture.
DrO
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