Fractured splint bone and joint tap- Anyone got experience of

[Lou23]

Hi,

As the title.

My friends horse has had a kick and fractured her splint bone. She's been in hospital and had joint taps done as well but not operated on. We're now looking at 12 weeks box rest. Bless her she's such a star.

We were wondering on how good her recovery will be and wondered if the joint tap will have any after effects? and if anyone else has had good or bad recovery with a fracture.

 

[Halfstep]

My horse (the bay in the first four pictures of my sig.) fractured his splint bone in June 07. Had surgery to remove the fragments, followed by three weeks box rest, then walking in hand and turnout in a tiny pen. He was back in ridden work in October 07 and it hasn't bothered him since (touch wood). Has a small lump where the fracture occurred but no scarring.

 

[HLB]

Joint taps no probs, mine had this in his hock, every joint, never had a problem.

Also some vets say that horses can be born with no splint bones, so not really a problem as long as there are no peaces floating around she should be fine.

 

[amandathepanda]

Chestnut dressage horse in my siggy fractured his near hind splint October 07. He had standing surgery to remove the fragments and 4 months box rest as he is a prize plonker in the field & we wanted to be certain it had healed before he went mad in the field on it. When he came back into work after 5 months we did a lot of hacking up & down hills to strengthen the leg, also lateral work to encourage him to use his hind legs equally again. He is now fine & happily trying to put me on the floor regularly! As HLB said, the only big problem with splints is if they have loose fragments floating around but your friends vet should have spotted anything looking suspect in the x-rays.

I've seen a few joint taps (used to work at an equine clinic) and all apart from one came back into work ok afterwards.