any experience of cortisone steroid joint injections

S

samuelhorse

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 May 2007
Messages
698
Location
saltburn by the sea
Visit site
Has anyone had any experience of cortisone steroid joint injections. Sam is coming back into work after summer out due to lami and ringbone and is quite stiff on old stifle injury where he damaged his meniscus and ligaments.
Mentioned this to the vet today and he is suggesting cortisone injection into his stifle joint. I am concerned re him already recovering from lami and being prone to it and steroids can induce laminitis.
My vet has said this is 0.6% so, basically 1 in 200.

Just wondering if anyone would give their opinions please while i think whether to go ahead or not.
confused.gif
 
We have a horse at work that had an injection into both front coffin joints. He was a bit pottery before but is now like a 3yr old, he is 19 and has had a hard life.
 
I personally would not risk it with my old boy as he is a Cushing horse, however I would also be soooooooooooo careful about your decision as your chap has had Laminitis
crazy.gif
.... there is that risk
frown.gif
frown.gif


My TB had one in his fetlock and I was told about the small risk and I knew for him it was best, as he was very lame and it did the trick and 3 years on he is still ok .... the injection was given to him when Motor was still suffering from Laminitis as well and looking back I cannot believe I did it, but I would risk it with him again though ...

Not much help but that is my experience
smile.gif


Good luck and only you will know, with consulation with your Vet, the best choice to take
smile.gif
 
Im erring on the side of no, what if Sam was that 'one'
I love him too much to lose him.
Am thinking, like he did last time gentle work improved things till he was fit then it didnt bother him.
Should I give him a bit of bute or devils claw or something till he is fit then see.
Heart of hearts, Im a 'what if' girl, and what if he gets laminitis
 
If you think that gentle work may help then I would go for that ... as for the Bute then perhaps a chat with the Vet ... but Devils Claw should be ok to just try shouldn't it
confused.gif


Perhaps someone may suggest another alternative remedy
smile.gif
 
I would do whatever you most feel comfortable with as you know your horse and also what your vet thinks is most appropriate. One of my horses has had cortisone injections and they really do make a difference to him and keep him comfortable however I can't really comment on the Laminitis risk issue as he doesn't suffer from this!- maybe you could try your horse on a cortisone that is shorter lasting or inject with something like Adequan that doesnt have steroids in it. Or maybe fingers crossed!- you will find as your horse gets fitter he wont be so stiff, so won't need the injection, and maybe he could be worked on bute for a week or two. Its a difficult decision for you I agree! ... gd luck though!
 
My pony had a cortisone injection into her tendon sheath, it workked well. I did discuss the laminitis risk with the vet, he said she was slim, fit & not a laminitic, therefore the risk was negligible. My other pony is laminitic, I would not even contemplate it with her.
 
5 years ago, my 20 yr old was diagnosed with djd and navicular in both front feet. Had steroid injections (nobody told me about the laminitis link) but sadly it didn't make the blindest bit of difference and as ponio deteriorated, he was pts before the brutal winter regime at the yard where he was in full livery could kick in. My vet agreed he wouldn't have survived it. What naivety on my part. I didn't think I knew enough about horse care to NOT be on full livery but I wish I'd moved him. RIP Sullivan xxx
 
my mare had cortisone injections into her tendon to see if it helped-didnt make any difference.her tendon was injured through infection then an op to clear it-she was sound then went lame 9years later (she went mad in the field) and we tried the steroids then.
if its into a joint the risk of lami is much less than a dose that goes into the general system such as IV or oral.depends on how prone he is already and if the vet thinks the risk outweights the benefits or not.
 
It is something i wouldnt do unless you have to, especially into the stifle which is a bit of a no go area. I have had them into the lower joints on several occassions and one did nearly die of laminitis! But other than that they can be very helpful but I would try other routes first. I use a really good joint supplement, got it from the Nupafeed calmer people. It contains something which they give to humans with arthritis. Its been a bit miraculous to be honest, on one with a swollen hock from having been kicked and one who was getting a bit arthiric in its lower forelimbs, not sure how well it would work with your stifle problems and i suppose it depends on the casue but i would definately reccomend it.
 
My horse had steroid injected into his stifle a month after arthroscopy on the stifle joint, he is a native and so you would think a potential for laminitis. I have restricted his grazing and for the difference in his comfort and way of going (he is now sound) it was well worth doing as the benefits have outweighed the risk.
 
Similar experience to Irishcobs. In fact I reckon that steroid injections saved Smokey's life. He was in such pain earlier this year with arthritis in both front coffin joints that I honestly wondered whether I was soon going to have to make 'that' decision. The injections were like a miracle. He is now sound again (at 20) and really enjoying life (although I know that arthritis is a condition that cannot actually be 'cured').

He has never suffered from laminitis and in fact the vet didn't even mention it so it is a different situation from you. I think I remember another thread on here though that said that steroid injections into joints are not so risky as regards lami as those into other parts of the body.

I am sure that your gut feeling will tell you what is best for you and Sam. Good luck whatever you decide.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top