Arthritis, nerve blocks and steroid injections

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coloured_c0b

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My boy is going to the vet in ten days time for an X-ray to see if his arthritis has got worse, the vet said if it haddock he can carry out a nerve block and inject steroid into the area of pain. Does anybody have any experience to share, as I'm a bit worried what to expect. He's 15 this year and I'm really hoping that he won't have to retire just yet :(
 
My horse had steriod injections into the coffin joints twice, sadly they didn't help with his ringbone as it was to advanced. He had them done and had to stay in for 2 days then turnout as usual.
 
Our vet picked up 'arthritic changes' in my girl's left knee and right coffin joint last April, using nerve blocks and x-rays. Since then she has had 2 steroid injections in the knee and 1 in the coffin joint, tildren, cartrophen and is on 99% glucosamine. We've just gone for another reassessment and her arthritis has not really progressed over the year, she had an additional steroid injection in her knee and another dose of tildren.

She was 19 when diagnosed and is now 20. Don't give up hope and expect retirement just yet. We've spent the last year going to endurance non-competitive rides, sponsored rides, the beach, travelled to Trot rides and even been hunting (non jumping). The vet feels that the consistent exercise has helped keep the arthritis at bay and kept her fit.

Hope all goes well :)
 
My horse had both hocks injected in september and both coffin joints. His X-rays showed little deterioration over 4 years but was lame so decided to have injections done.
Had nerve blocks on front right leg as this was worst one. they worked really well and never felt sounder. We now hack, school and low level competing mainly dressage. Vet said could do some low level jumping so we may pop odd fence for fun
 
Frank (19) had a steroid + hyaluronic acid injection into his coffin joint 6 weeks ago and has been much improved, still not 100% sound but very much better than pre injection and now being ridden. No changes noticeable on xray but better on nerve block. My vet did say it is best not to treat after nerve blocking though because it can dilute out the steroid, he came and did it at my yard a couple of days after the block.
 
mudmonkey17 said:
My horse had both hocks injected in september and both coffin joints. His X-rays showed little deterioration over 4 years but was lame so decided to have injections done.
Had nerve blocks on front right leg as this was worst one. they worked really well and never felt sounder. We now hack, school and low level competing mainly dressage. Vet said could do some low level jumping so we may pop odd fence for fun
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4 years - fabulous! Now that gives ME hope :D
 
ester said:
Frank (19) had a steroid + hyaluronic acid injection into his coffin joint 6 weeks ago and has been much improved, still not 100% sound but very much better than pre injection and now being ridden. No changes noticeable on xray but better on nerve block. My vet did say it is best not to treat after nerve blocking though because it can dilute out the steroid, he came and did it at my yard a couple of days after the block.
Click to expand...

That's a good point ester, this time round our vet said he was going to put HA in with the steroid, as it was something he was now doing. Haven't been able to ride her since her last treatment (only a week ago) 'cos I've got a bad knee myself!
 
lol ponies first! :). We are at the point where we are going to work him harder for 2/3 weeks (having just done walk and a little trot hack for the previous 6) to see if gets worse/better/same and we might then try a top up injection. We have also had to sort his foot balance out but they are much better now.
 
My horse has been at the vet today for a steroid injection into her fetlock. She also had hyaluronic acid in the injection as well.
We went last week for the x-rays as she had a bone chip removed from her fetlock in December 2010 which left her with cartilage damage and arthritis. It's got steadily worse and we had been treating the lameness as a proximal suspensory ligament injury - which she does/did have, but the fetlock had been ignored. So last week new vet - fresh set of eyes blocked the fetlock and lo and behold - horse became 70% better. So she had the steroid and HA injection today. She has to spend tomorrow in her box, then two weeks of daily turnout and then start walking in hand/long-reining 10 minutes per day after that. We are going back to the vet in 5 weeks to see whether he thinks there has been sufficient improvement. Apparently it doesn't improve overnight though.

And the scan in the PSL showed good improvement so although I know the arthritis can't be cured, if I can keep it under control and keep her comfortable, then I will be happy.
 
I'm told my boy has had almost every joint injected and he's loving life- it's not the end don't worry too much. I can't recommend Equine America buteless highly enough! Well worth a try to all arthritis sufferers
 
Hi

My boy is only 7 and went lame in the summer of last year, In october they finally diagnosed with arthritis in the pastern he had xrays, nerve blocks and steroid injections, I know it hasnt been long, but he is now going better then ever!!
x
 
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