Knee arthroscopy info

[BlueSocks]

Hi everyone, my boy has just had to have an emergency knee arthroscopy after a kick injury. What are your experiences regarding recovery, aftercare and also costs incurred? Many thanks!

 

[ycbm]

Was it just a joint flush, or more?

 

[BlueSocks]

Was it just a joint flush, or more?

Under GA, not a standing flush. They did keyhole to check everything and removed a very small cartilage chip (vet says this shouldn't cause any issues going forward), and flushed the joint.

 

[milliepops]

one of mine had a stifle arthroscopy recently and not an emergency, so bit different, but general aftercare from that was 2 weeks in the box until stitches were removed and then reintroduction of controlled exercise. the GA knocked her back a bit. i find they lose their appetites and feel a bit under the weather afterwards so be prepared for that.

 

[shortstuff99]

My old mare had the exact same injury. Kick to the knee that perforated the joint and lead to bone chips. This was removed and joint flushed under GA and then 1 week of IV antibiotics. She returned to work and carried on eventing at about 80cm level for a further 10 years. She could've jumped higher but she had another previous injury that involved an operation that limited her a bit.

 

[shortstuff99]

Cost wise looking at 5K plus. And depending on how it goes a reasonable time on box rest and then field rest. As I was away at the time and had another horse she had the best part of a year or so off.

My 3 year old suffered a hock wound that didn't need an op but twice weekly dressing changes and a week and a half have antibiotics in the hospital and that cost 6k for reference. She needed 3 months box rest but is now completely healed

 

[BlueSocks]

one of mine had a stifle arthroscopy recently and not an emergency, so bit different, but general aftercare from that was 2 weeks in the box until stitches were removed and then reintroduction of controlled exercise. the GA knocked her back a bit. i find they lose their appetites and feel a bit under the weather afterwards so be prepared for that.

Thanks for this, yeah I suppose it's just like humans, GA has more effect than we realise I think. And even more so on the horses x

 

[BlueSocks]

My old mare had the exact same injury. Kick to the knee that perforated the joint and lead to bone chips. This was removed and joint flushed under GA and then 1 week of IV antibiotics. She returned to work and carried on eventing at about 80cm level for a further 10 years. She could've jumped higher but she had another previous injury that involved an operation that limited her a bit.

This sounds exactly the same so really glad to hear your experience has been positive. He's only a baby (4) so has all his life ahead of him, just hoping for the same outcome x

 

[shortstuff99]

This sounds exactly the same so really glad to hear your experience has been positive. He's only a baby (4) so has all his life ahead of him, just hoping for the same outcome x

As he is young and still growing they tend to heal a lot better. This happened when my mare was about 17/18 which can take longer to heal.

 

[milliepops]

Thanks for this, yeah I suppose it's just like humans, GA has more effect than we realise I think. And even more so on the horses x

yeah because they don't understand what happened to them. I've had 2 that have had GAs now and they have both been quiet and tucked up when i've been able to see them and taken a good few days to start to seem like themselves again.

fingers crossed for a good outcome. at least box rest is less awful at this time of year compared to the summer. Mine is stuck in until the new year but i keep telling her she's not missing much

 

[BlueSocks]

As he is young and still growing they tend to heal a lot better. This happened when my mare was about 17/18 which can take longer to heal.

Yeah hoping his age is something he has on his side 🤞

 

[pistolpete]

After my boy had a GA he was off colour a long time. If I had to do it again I’d be using probiotics gentle mashes and monitoring gut health really carefully.

 

[BlueSocks]

After my boy had a GA he was off colour a long time. If I had to do it again I’d be using probiotics gentle mashes and monitoring gut health really carefully.

Luckily this is his general diet anyway, which is good because I shouldn't have to really change it to give him the support he needs. You're right about constant monitoring.