Injecting joints in competition horses as part of "maintenance"?

little_flea

little_flea

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 September 2007
Messages
3,339
Location
London (but Swedish)
Visit site
Sorry to put this here, should probably be in Veterinary, but I thought I'd get some good opinions from you lot.

What do you think of injecting joints in competition horses as part of maintenance? I know that lot of people do this, and it is something I have been told I might have to think about for my mare, as she is 11 next year, 17.2hh and has been show jumping since she was 4 or 5.

There is obviously some risk involved with injections into the joints - is this a risk you would be willing to take as a part of maintenance? How high is the chance of something going wrong?

Your thoughts much appreciated.
 
Happens much more routinely (or should that be much more openly - hmmm, not sure) in the States than it does here. As long as the vet is careful and experienced then having seen it done a few times in the US I do not think the risk should not be too great IMO. However I would want a vet who did this often to treat my horse.

As for whether I'd do it or not, it would depend on the horse, the issue, the level it was at and my goals. I knew an off the track TB in the USA which was injected as it was that or PTS - worked and she (as far as I know) went on to do other things. Equally I suspect there are a lot of higher level horses injected here which we never hear about - same as there are a number who've had the PSD op which we don't hear about...
 
It is done in abundance!!!

The risks are small but they are still there. Main risk would be joint infection, also a very slim risk of lammi.

Injecting jonts in some cases cand be very successful but can lead to a downward spiral of needing to do it every few months to maintain soundness. I also believe that when you get into that situation there is an increased risk of cartilage damage from the use of the steroids.

Would I do it? I'd seriously consider it if it gave a competition horse a better quality of life, but I wouldn't rush into it lightly.

I find it interesting you are considering this when you were so opposed to the FEI bute issue (I think I have the right person, apologies if not!) as there are some parallels in my view.
 
i've been told it is very routine, some horses are done every 3 months.
also, that the reason many vets are against the new bute rule is that it will mean that some horses can do without their joint injections... which are very lucrative...
 
Interesting, i know my vet does not advocate it at all unless specifically needed, but i have heard of other vets routinely suggesting it with older competition horses....
 
I think there is a place for it to keep the horse in work but I would want full xrays done first as its a pointless exercise injecting for maintainence if there is nothing grumbling anyway and secondly its a massive waste of money!

On a more personal note I have had cortisone injections into a joint and it is incredibly, incredibly painful so I would only do it as a real last resort as I definately would not have them done ever again!!
 
No, I am indeed against the bute rule (for various reasons). I don't really know that much about treating joints, but my impression was that it was actually treating rather than masking, which I think is different to effectively give painkillers to mask problems in competition. But please enlighten me!
 
It depends what you are injecting into the joint ....

Bute is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti inflammatory) - it's pain killing action is really only a by product of it's primary action - an anti inflammatory

Injecting corticosteroids into a joint is done not to mend a problem, just to provide anti infammatory relief - but this time using steroids!

That said you can get lubricating compounds to inject into joint, bit like a really strong joint supp in injectable form, but usually these are combined with steroids too!

Personally, if I had an older horse needing routine help to keep it working I'd rather give the odd bute than do routine injecting.
 
Depends why your doing it - if your doing it to treat a problem then that the same as how bute is currently used. If your using it as `maintenance` as you said in original post then really i`d say thats the same as the new bute rule - it will mask low grade injuries and allow them to develop into something more serious.
 
Re the bute thing, remember bute isn't only a painkiller, it's an anti-inflammatory, that's why it's used in cases of bruising etc.

On injections, I am against them being given without reason ie just as a routine precaution, but in favour if the horse needs them. I had a horse, only 8yo, who was sound but flexed lame on one hind. His jump had also become a little "stuffy". We nerve-blocked and narrowed it to the hock, X rayed and there was nothing to see. Vet (specialist equine orthopaedic) said this was good, indicated that changes were very early and therefore more easily controllable. We injected, both hocks, and horse came back so much better that I feel sure it was causing him discomfort if not pain. Procedure was quick and cheap - no brainer as far as I'm concerned
smile.gif


Not sure about frequency they will be required as I sold him on (not for that reason) - he passed a 5 stage fine, btw
smile.gif
In medicine, as in other sciences, technology moves on and if we find new ways of making our horses' lives more comfortable while they perform the jobs for which they are bred and kept at vast expense - happy days
smile.gif
smile.gif
 
i don't think i would inject as a matter of maintenence if the horse had no issues.

however, if the horse had a diagnosed problem that could be resolved/ made better with injections i probably would do it if it increased quality of life.

would i event a horse that needed joint injections? probably not, but i am a real softie!
 
My horse has recently been diagnosed with spavin and had steroid injected into her hock. She is also currently on danilon and may need to remain on it to maintain a useful life.
Up until this I would have disagreed with the use of medication in competition animals to keep them sound....but now being put into the dilemma of what to do with my own horse I've changed my outlook somewhat. My own horse was similar to one mentioned above - not lame per se but affecting her jump. She is never in a million years going to be a hack about as she is so sharp. So I've come to the opinion that if she needs a little bit of help in her latter years to continue to do a job that she loves then so be it. But she is my only horse and we only competing at low level BD/BSJA. I want to keep her fit as long as humanly possible before retiring her and if that involves injecting her hocks then that is what will happen.
As far as medicating routinely when there are no problems evident I can't honestly see the point as steroid isn't condusive to healthy cartilage and so why would you want to? But it definitely does go on!
 
Have had my horse done who was 1/10 lame in the hock. The difference it has made is incredible. He will carry on being evented and I am hoping that with the joint suppliment he is on that he will not need to be done again for a long time. I have no issues about it as I would rather a sound horse than one who just off. I would not inject for the sake of injecting though. I have had another horse injected in the fetlock and I felt that did nothing.
 
My horses have had joint injections and *touch wood* have never had a problem, yes as with anything there are risks, they have antibiotics after and we keep a close eye on them and build them up gradually. The injections can make a big difference!
 
My horse has had a number of hock injections post injury and surgery - once with steroids, once with HA only, and four times with IRAP. Luckily there was never a problem, although I do prefer to have the injections done at the vets in a sterile environment. I would not inject unless there was a reason, but I would inject to keep a horse who is starting to feel a problem be it age or injury comfortable in his work.

There is a horse on my yard who got laminitis after routine hock injections - you do have to be careful.
 
Thank you for your answers.

Re the bute issue - my problem with bute being allowed in competition is that there is so much proof that you can do a lot of additional damage to a horse if it is competed with that level of bute. As far as I know, that is not true for hock injections.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top