Orchardbeck
Well-Known Member
Hi - I wondered if anyone had experienced a horse with a bone chip in their fetlock, how it was diagnosed, and how it was treated - do they always need to be removed?
Bone chip in fetlock - experiences please
- Thread starter Orchardbeck
- Start date
Erin
Well-Known Member
My mare recently had surgery as she had fractured the proximal sesamoid bone in the fetlock and the vet wanted to remove the fractured bit of bone.
In her case it was because the ligament had also come away from the bone (which is what fractured it) so getting the bit of bone out would give her the best chance of healing correctly.
She went lame and it was diagnosed by an xray + scans.
If money/insurance allows I think its best to remove the bone chip if just to prevent it causing any issues further down the line.
In her case it was because the ligament had also come away from the bone (which is what fractured it) so getting the bit of bone out would give her the best chance of healing correctly.
She went lame and it was diagnosed by an xray + scans.
If money/insurance allows I think its best to remove the bone chip if just to prevent it causing any issues further down the line.
montysmum1
Well-Known Member
My boy got kicked earlier this year and had a small chip in his fetlock, was very very lame to start, on box rest for about 6 weeks, then started quiet turn out, and now is fine. No surgery required. He is retired anyway though so not sure how he would have fared if returning to ridden work was a factor, but he has absolutely no problems with charging round the field now 
Gucc
Well-Known Member
My then 5 yr old gelding had a fetlock chip that was diagnosed after he went lame and stays showed a chip. He had the the chip removed at leahurst followed by box rest. He is now back in full work although can favour the leg slightly and has some arthritic changes on his recent xrays. All in all a good outcome and he is now 8yrs.
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
TarrSteps
Well-Known Member
It's standard to x-ray for pre-purchase in Canada so I saw a fair number over the years. One mare had had a knock on her fetlock at 2 and was subsequently found to have a couple of small chips. She worked as a dressage horse then I had her to jump and she went from never having jumped to winning at 1.10, jumping 1.20 in a season. At her pre-purchase the owner disclosed the earlier x-rays and there had been very little change. The horse jumped for a fair few years, retiring for something unrelated. Never sore.
Two others were found to have chips as 4 and 5 respectively. Neither had ever given cause for concern but the owners had them removed because they would always affect resale. I only know where one is now and he's eventing and sound.
One had stifle chips removed at 2, partly because the owners wanted him as a stallion prospect . . . I know, I know! He was ostensibly sound but I never thought he was right and he certainly didn't jump like he should have.
Another was a race horse that showed a fair sized fetlock chip in pre-sale x-rays. The owner took him home and didn't operate but the ankle did come up when he went into training so they had the chip taken out. He's back in work but not raced yet.
I have a chip in one knee (possibly both - no sense looking for trouble) and have had for years. It has recently given me more trouble and I'm looking at having a bit of vacuuming done but it's done the job up to this point.
So . . .no definitive answer then, sorry. It depends how the chip got there, where it is, and what else is going on with the joint.
Two others were found to have chips as 4 and 5 respectively. Neither had ever given cause for concern but the owners had them removed because they would always affect resale. I only know where one is now and he's eventing and sound.
One had stifle chips removed at 2, partly because the owners wanted him as a stallion prospect . . . I know, I know! He was ostensibly sound but I never thought he was right and he certainly didn't jump like he should have.
Another was a race horse that showed a fair sized fetlock chip in pre-sale x-rays. The owner took him home and didn't operate but the ankle did come up when he went into training so they had the chip taken out. He's back in work but not raced yet.
I have a chip in one knee (possibly both - no sense looking for trouble
) and have had for years. It has recently given me more trouble and I'm looking at having a bit of vacuuming done but it's done the job up to this point.So . . .no definitive answer then, sorry. It depends how the chip got there, where it is, and what else is going on with the joint.