Arthritis in joints - box rest?

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marion95

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Reposted under a different title cos no-ne replied!

Hi,

My horse has just undergone an arthroscopy to look in her knee joints and vet has come back saying she shows signs of Osteoarthritis, thinning of the cartilage etc. She has already had the knee injected (Tildren I think) which worked for about three months the first time and not at all the second time - hence surgery. She is 17.

I've just received the vets report and he recommends: 6 weeks box rest, followed by 6 further weeks stabling and walking in hand - then IRAP injections. Then three months field rest, then can be reassessed and 'possibly' be ready for 'some' ridden work.

She is currently on loan and I am in South Africa, which makes this more complicated, but I spoke to the vet on the phone and he didn't really explain why there was a need for so much box rest/wait before IRAP. I've read up on IRAP and quite a few reports/doc say they can have the first injection after 7 days.

I know the vet is the expert, but my experience of vets tells me different vets have VERY different views on how to treat horses etc. I don't see how a degenerative disease will be helped by box rest etc (the vet told me before surgery that her recovery from the op itself would be very quick so I don't think it's related t that). She's been lame on and off for about three years now with various undiagnosed problems (not for want of trying/paying big vets bills etc) and I must admit I've somewhat lost my faith in vets. It is currently covered by insurance (but the limit is nearly met) and after October this problem will be exempt. So I'll be paying for IRAP myself. Of course my mare's wellbeing/happiness is my main priority but I can't pretend money is no object indefinitely.

I'd really like some ideas on how effective IRAP is etc. The vet was not very forthcoming on the prognosis/stats - really quite vague. It was a bad line which didn't help.

Anyone got any similar experiences with arthroscopies/Osteoarthritis/IRAP?

Any experiences much appreciated.
 
I've also always heard that the best thing for stiff joints is to keep them moving too - which is why I'm confused. My horse absolutely hates box rest, so I really don't want to put her through it unless its necessary.
 
Again, no knowledge of irap but I was advised as much mobility as possible.
My mare has it in her knee (worst joint!!!) but with danillon (she won't eat bute!) and 24/7 turnout, it is manageable. although she has been retired to light hacking only now.
I have never heard of prolonged box rest for an arthritis condition?!? Yes, briefly after the injection but then out asap.
Sorry I can't be of more help
 
Is the box rest maybe to stop risk of injury racing round? I think movement is usually best for arthritis, so could you check with vet if a small individual paddock or strip would do better? I've met an old fashioned vet who was stuck in 1950, who seemed to think turnout meant a 50 acre field & a herd of 30, so box rest was the solution for injuries that couldn't cope with that.
 
I will talk to him again tomorrow and try and get a bit more sense out of him. He didn't mention box rest when I spoke to him or I'd have queried it. When the vet report cam through it was all laid out in that. Thanks for replies
 
Both mine have arthritis in hocks, and one also has it in a front pastern (shes 19). She is still in active ridden exercise and hardly ever has Danilon - I put this squarely down to living out 24/7 when she can move around all the time. I never keep her in for more than a few hours at a time (for farrier or bad weather) or she just seizes up.

I'm no expert but I cannot imagine how box rest would be better for your horse.
 
I have always thought that turnout would be better than boxrest for a horse with arthritis, but then again the vet must have a reason for suggesting box rest initially? Maybe get a second opinion?
 
My horse has Ringbone of the pastern, sidebones and DJD. So she have arthritis.
She had injections into the joint and had 2 days box rest after and has been turned out ever since.

I would think keeping an artritic horse in for 6 weeks would seaze her up completely and just add to the problems!
 
Thanks for sharing experiences.

I spoke to her vet this morning (as opposed to the surgeon who made the recommendations) and even he was at a loss as to why those would be the recommendations. He said that if it was injury-related joint damage caused by trauma etc he could see why box rest would be suggested (if recovery was expected) but if we are talking about a degenerative disease (which we are and this is backed up by the report, there is no mention of healing or injury) then he can't see why box rest would help.

He said he was going to talk to the surgeon and get back to me - but he was sure we could reduce her box rest time.

Doesn't fill me with faith!
 
My cob seizes up after standing for an hour being groomed so any kind of stabling for him is a no go:rolleyes:He has to be moving! When I had to urgently stable him when my other pony lost the plot on box rest he could barely walk by the morning.

Arthritis is most definitely better when they are allowed continuous movement!

Can just a small paddock be sectioned off so she has her own space and can keep moving?
 
Well,if it's any help, rest has never done my arthitis any good so I can't see that it would help a horse. A joint is a joint whether human or animal, ditto arthitis. Though one day,Ii'm assured, I will end up in a box ;)
 
My horse had arthroscopy in his fetlock some years ago and I was told to box rest him for a number of weeks- can't quite remember the number now. When I queried this I was told it was to prevent him doing further damage. However, I took the view that the longer he was in the more damage he would do when he eventually went out. So after 3wks I think (after the bandages came off anyway) I put him out and had no problems whatsoever.

So definitely query with the vets, it may be an over-protective surgeon not thinking about the horse overall.
 
Without denting the vets advice - when my boy was diagnosed I had him moved in a matter or weeks to 24/7 turnout. I can't really stable him longer then 12-14 hours as his legs fill up.

Turnout and being on the move is much better IMO, box rest only seems to make artiritis worse.

I'm not sure if you might have to keep box rest are the treatment your horse has had but I'd want mine out ASAP for as long as possible but living out is ideal.
 
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