Hind lameness- foot.coffin joint - poss DJD?

[clairencappelli]

Without going into a very long winded storey my horse who has been lame on the left fore when the vet looked again thought she wasnt right on her left hind. After flexing the left hind and lunging and them blocking the lower half of the leg she came sound and looked ok on the frount left too.

We then went to xray and they took about 15 of her foot and fetlock and a very slight bone edge on the joint was tought to be the culprit however the next day they bloked the fetlock joint and she was still very lame.

We then commenced nerve block and with the palmer nerve block she was 100% better and when he did the next block up i didnt feel she was any better so its narrow it down to the foot / coffin joint.

Nothing show on all the xrays they took and he told me arthroscopy isnt an option for it? ( she has this procedure on her fetlock -0 front right leg 2 years ago )

Vet said tomo he wants to put a joint block directly into the coffin joint and if she comes sound he will loseley term it DJD and medicate the joint

Now been reaserching this would an MRI not prove more conclusive that just not being able to diagnose and guessing? My ins company would cover half and i can fund the other half at a push but she would need referal as they dont have one ( i recenlty had a very sick horse and was not overly happy with her care there or the bill )

Why cant an arthroscopy be permormed again if they can acsess the joint with a needle to block the joint?

Ill fire these questions tomo but i was really hoping for some experiences on foot coffin joint problems from you all to see what your opionions are?

 

[misst]

From what I understand having had horses with coffin joint problems the joint is not very acessible so arthroscopy would probably not be possible.

I would push for a referal to a respected lameness vet with MRI facilities. Often coffin joint problems are associated with ligament problems and other soft tissue issues.

I don't know your area but I bet someone on here could suggest a good vet practice if you need one. Don't take a vague diagnosis if you are not happy - push for a second opinion while your insurance is valid and you have some funds left!