Osteomyelitis in the hock / bone chips - experiences?

[RachelFerd]

Following on from post in CR (http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/foru...nes&Number=3810972&page=0&fpart=1) just wondering if any others have experience of horses operated on for bone chips with osteomyelitis - particularly in the hock.

How long did it take for the horse to come back into work, and how successful was the operation? Did the horse return to the previous level of work?

 

[Halfstep]

My horse had an arthroscopy for a bone chip in his right hock. He wasn't lame but it was swollen (classic bog spavin swelling that came up overnight). He had cartilage damage and a sizable chip.

They removed the chip and debrided the cartilage under a general anesthetic. He was box rested for a few weeks, then walked in hand. six weeks after the operation he had an injection of steroids and HA into the joint.
Technically I could have ridden him again within two months of the op but I chose to turn him away and give him some time off to be a horse.
I brought him back to work slowly but he's been fine (touch wood) and has moved up a level since the operation. His hock will always look a bit odd however. Oh, he also had IRAP, just had his last injection last week.

.

 

[RachelFerd]

what is IRAP?

 

[Halfstep]

http://www.equinepi.com/links/IRAP.pdf

Have a look at this. Its highly thought of but isn't a miracle cure.