does anyone else's horse have a clicky joint?

[wizgirl]

Mine does and it clicks constantly. He is not lame and it seems to cause him no discomfort.

If yours does - what does it mean- does it cause any probs and how do you manage it?

 

[xmoodyxmarex]

Yes, my old one did, she was old so put it down to old age etc, but now my younger one's does too, wasn't picked up in a vetting and like yours is sound, so I'm thinking it can't be anything serious!?

Will be interested in responses to what it means!

 

[merlinsquest]

Not horse.... but daughter has a clicky ankle... going upstairs she sounds dreadful...Its every stride

.... ..... but she isnt lame either and seems to do it just to make me feel sick!!!

Perhaps your horse is doing the same!!!

 

[longtalltilly]

Clicking joints are caused when boney parts of a joint rub against each other. There may be no pain in such situations but there will certainly be more friction in the joints affected. The cause of the problem may be a thinning of joint fluids or perhaps some trauma in previous months.

Whatever is the root cause of the problem it is certainly true that clicking joints are likely to get worse and result in arthritis eventually. It is therefore important to try and improve the situation before things get worse. In valuable competition horses vets may try injections of hyluronic acid to try and improve quality of joint fluid and general health of synovial membranes.

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

my mare clicks from the back hock, vet said its age, generally she seems fine, i feed her supplements for her joints and dont go mad on her with riding, i have heard of it alot in horses, dont think its always terribly serious, i asked my vet about it when the were vaccinating one day and they just advised cod liver oil and said it was wear and tear

 

[merlinsquest]

I have been told that it is either a ligament snapping back into place There is some evidence that ligament laxity may be associated with an increased tendency to cavitate,
or the
popping sound of something in the joint capsule....


Cavitation within the joint—small cavities of partial vacuum form in the fluid then rapidly collapse, producing a sharp sound. This explains the popping that can occur in any joint, such as during spinal manipulation. Synovial fluid cavitation is the most likely theory and substantial evidence exists in support of it.

I dont think it is always bone on bone, and if this is the case there would be pain there as bone on bone is very painfull.

Merlin has a horrifically arthritic joint and there is no noise or clicking from it...... this is why I asked the vet, as his other fetlock (which is perfectly healthy) does sometimes click.

 

[longtalltilly]

I think it is also as merlinsquest said the joint capsule!

 

[kirstyhen]

Bone on bone is arthritis, there wouldn't be a clicking noise more of a grinding.

I was told it's a ligament snapping into place, or an air bubble within the joint.
My horse's hock clicks, the vet told me it was unlikely to degenerate or cause him pain. I know for certain it doesn't hurt him as during a lameness work up he was blocked in his hocks and didn't come sound.

 

[Nickijem]

My horse has clicky knees, he is completely sound and the vet has said it is nothing to worry about - so I try not too after all, horses give us enough to worry about!

 

[Storminateacup]

[ QUOTE ]



Cavitation within the joint—small cavities of partial vacuum form in the fluid then rapidly collapse, producing a sharp sound. This explains the popping that can occur in any joint, such as during
spinal manipulation. Synovial fluid cavitation is the most likely theory and substantial evidence exists in support of it.

I dont think it is always bone on bone, and if this is the case there would be pain there as bone on bone is very painfull.


[/ QUOTE ]

This is what I would say as well, I also remember reading something about oxygen molecules coming out of solution in the synovial fluid within the joint capsule when the joint is under pressure ( ie tightly flexed), and it makes this popping sound - a little vacuum forming that then collapse, not quite sure of the biological process though.

Ever heard the sound when someone pulls (cracks) their fingers and it makes an horrendous click or pop sound. That is exactly the same thing.
Its painless and harmless and not any indication of arthritis at all.
Bone grinding on bone would be agony!!!

My horses fetlock went off like a gun the other day when I was picking out his feet and he did not even notice!
I ve also had it happen on a wide range of horses from 3 year olds to 16 year olds.
Nothing wrong with any of them.

 

[Weezy]

QR: Very glad people have put the REAL reason for the noise up here - I get so cross when people say it is bone crunching and will lead to arthritis - yes, that joint MAY get arthritis in the future, but it is not predisposed and is as likely to happen in that joint as any other! I click like crazy, always have, I don't need to be written off yet

 

[wizgirl]

thanks so much to you all for taking the time to reply. I feel relieved, as he is my baby and I love him to bits. Constantly worry about him too, as he has had a range of health probs in the past and I just want him to be ok. Feel reassured now.

Thanks to you all

 

[golddustsara]

Glad you feel reassured! P's stifle clicks most of the time and always has done (he's only 7). Vet said its absolutely fine and won't cause any problems.

 

[Daisychain]

Ditto all the above, my vet told me just air popping of ligament, nothing to worry about! My knees also click alot and it certainly isnt painful!

 

[PapaFrita]

PF used to click and grew out of it.
My ankles used to click and I grew out of it too

Now I've got dodgy knees... and they never clicked