Hunters knee / water on knee / haematoma

[MissP]

Anyone with experience of hunters knee / carpal hygroma / water on knee / haematoma?

My horse got a swollen knee in late Dec. Vet confirmed a haematoma under the skin by ultrasound. Said light work only and it'll take 6-8 weeks to go down or more. It's been 6 weeks so happy to wait longer but it's not getting better so far - some days it seems bigger/firmer so think it's just refilling with new fluid as fast as it's draining.

Now found some vet posts online that these things should be drained right away and bandaged otherwise the tissues never knit together and you have a permanent balloon of fluid.

He's not ever been lame with it, but I'm just not sure how to manage it.

Any experiences please?
Thank you x

 

[MissP]

Here is a pic

 

[Red-1]

I bought a horse who had been a knee kicker on her door, she did it while I went to view. One of her knees was rather large. The vet recommended drain and cortisone as soon as purchased. In fact, I put a full grid on her door so she could no longer hit her knee, and it went down over the course of a year, until it was no longer visible.

She evented to Intermediate and had no further issued, in fact, she was a very tough and sound mare.

So, I guess a drain, cortisone and bandage would get a quick resolution, but that comes with a risk of infection, and knees are awfully difficult to bandage effectively and safely. I do know that a long term knee swelling can go down over time though.

Why not get a second opinion from a vet, if you are worried?

 

[MissP]

Thanks! I did ask another vet informally. They said if it keeps refilling I might need to keep him in. I'm very reluctant to box rest for a prolonged time for something that's not affecting his soundness though. He's a conny and a VERY good doer. Plus he can bang the door (I've now padded it with 3 inches of foam!) which I think would get way worse if he's stuck in, so counter productive.

So I thought it would be good to hear how other people managed it.

That's great that your mares got better with time. Did you box rest her after draining? x

 

[Red-1]

Thanks! I did ask another vet informally. They said if it keeps refilling I might need to keep him in. I'm very reluctant to box rest for a prolonged time for something that's not affecting his soundness though. He's a conny and a VERY good doer. Plus he can bang the door (I've now padded it with 3 inches of foam!) which I think would get way worse if he's stuck in, so counter productive.

So I thought it would be good to hear how other people managed it.

That's great that your mares got better with time. Did you box rest her after draining? x

No, I never did drain. I don't box rest. I simply removed the cause - her banging the door!

A full grid kept her well away. She could tap the door with her foot if she really tried but her knees were nowhere near the door with a full grid. She had no treatment. She was sound so stayed in full work, and daily turnout. It simply disappeared.

Nothing wrong with those knees!!!

 

[MissP]

Ah I see! Thanks so much. Fantastic mare