Bone chip and splint bone fracture

[Spartu]

My OTTB showed up lame after working from his hind end for 3 days on his right hind. He has been in training for dressage for 5 months. He was on and off lame with rest, and then we called a vet. He detected lameness in his hock after flexion test. And x-rayed it. His diagnosis is: Fracture (or a crack) of a splint bone in his hock area, he had a swelling behind. Osteoarthritis - grade one, so nothing serious. Vet said it can be treated through food supplements and injections later. And a really small bone chip in his central tarsal joint. Now we are not sure if he is lame because of splint bone or a bone chip. Vet and my trainer think it is from a splint bone fracture, but not sure at all. Just want to know your opinions. Horse will be used for dressage - up to medium level, and a bit of jumping - nothing over 2 feet. Vet also said fracture is not serious or big, more like a crack and it can grow back together through medication and various things given. And maybe bone chip is not bothering him so maybe we will leave it. Please let me know your opinions about this. Horse has obvious swelling behind his hock. I will give pictures if necessary. Just please help me. Any opinion or experience is really helpful. Please help. Thanks a ton.

 

[Cazza525]

Not exactly the same but my mare fractured her front splint last march, clean midline fracture. Huge lump there still but she came sound within 6 months on it. She is ironically 1/10ths lame in trot on concrete on the other fore leg from weight bearing for so long!

I was told at the time that a hind leg splint fracture is usually more complex to mend. But seeing as yours is only a hairline fracture it should really not cause too many problems. Feed calcium to promote bone healing and obviously you may have to keep area warmer in winter as may induce arthritis.

Sorry, i dont feel like ive been much help!