Bone chip removal experiences......

L&M

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 March 2008
Messages
6,371
Location
up a hill
Visit site
My partners horse had a 2 cm bone chip removed that was floating in and out of his fetlock joint, including some smaller fragments that did not show up on the intial x rays. The op was performed 4 weeks ago, and given a very good prognosis, hence putting the horse through the op.

However, to date, the horse is still quite lame - in a weeks time he is due to start restricted turn out but can't see in a week he will have improved enough. We had the vet out last week, and have also spoken to him on the phone, who has reassured us that it just may take more time for him to get more comfortable.......but we were told before the op, once the bone chip was removed, we would see an immediate improvement?

So has anyone else's horse had a bone chip removal op, and what was their road to recovery? Was there still significant lameness 4 weeks on? Or are we right to feel uneasy.......?

Thanks in advance.
 

L&M

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 March 2008
Messages
6,371
Location
up a hill
Visit site
Thanks.

At times he does look a little more comfortable, and is certainly bearing more weight on it. But at other times he is on 3 legs......and as bad as before he had the op.

He is worse first thing in the morning, but am putting it down to the fact his meds have worn off, and he has been laying down.
 
Joined
28 February 2011
Messages
16,451
Visit site
Where did the bone chips come from originally? 2cm seems like quite a large chunk!

I would be quite worried if they are still quite lame. I would ask for a second opinion. Obviously we have had this proceedure done at work numerous times and only 1 has been lame by the time we came to turn him out. But he had chips removed from both of his knees and he did come sound with turnout and then work. He was not significantly lame, just pottery and a little off.
 

L&M

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 March 2008
Messages
6,371
Location
up a hill
Visit site
The bone chip came from the back of the long pastern.

Before the op he was intermittently lame - dependant on where the chip was lying. He was trail hunting up until 4 weeks ago with no issues at all.

We have had 2 vets involved - our vet, then the one we were referred too, to have the op. His view is that the continued lameness is due to the size of the chip, and likened the recovery period as to one of a fracture. Although both vets x rayed, neither realised the size of the chip.

As the horse is not insured, at this stage am reluctant to get a 3rd vet involved, but if we are still in the same boat in another couple of weeks, may have to go that route.

You mentioned that you have had this procedure done at work several times - generally, how soon were the horses sound after their op's?

Many thanks
 
Top