Periostitis and possible bone tumour in pastern - any experience?

[now_loves_mares]

My 7yo TB has been slightly lame (to varying degrees) and x-rays have showed she has periostitis (inflammation of the periosteum, ie bone covering) on the front of her pastern. The most likely reason is she's had a knock, but we aren't aware of any knock (she had been in her stable, she was on livery whilst I was on holiday and the weather was disgusting, the yard she was on doesn't turn out if too wet).

The x-rays however also show some thickening of the bone. She said if we knew for sure she'd had a knock we'd put it down to this; but because we don't know of anything she did, it's possible she has a bone tumour

She did stress it is very very rare in horses. But I lost one horse this year to a pretty rare and unusual set of circumstances; I can't believe there is a possibility I might lose my other one too.

She's on a month's box rest. We have to hope she continues to get better, not worse. We will do another set of x-rays at that point, so a horrible month of worst-case-scenario obsessing for me Originally she was very lame in walk, pointing the foot or bending at the knee. She's not done that this week, and seems pretty sound in walk but not quite level in trot.

Anyone any experience of this type of thing? I'm sort of hoping not, then I'll know it is as rare as she says!

 

[FigJam]

and

As I have said previously, I can't believe that you will be so unlucky as to experience two very rare situations in such a short space of time. I am keeping everything crossed that it's an unidentified knock and not the alternative... If she is less lame on it than surely that is a good sign that it was an initial "ow" and is now healing? <cross fingers>

Bumping back up to front page in case it helps catch anyone else's eye who has anything more constructive to add/share.

 

[glenruby]

Bone tumours REALLY ARE very rare in horses so try not to worry. A knock is still the most likely cause of her issues - horses can do themselves damage in the strangest of ways! I hope everything turns out well for you.

 

[now_loves_mares]

Thanks for the cheeky Bump FJ Strangely I am taking comfort from the general lack of response, as this probably does mean nobody has any experience of them.

Glenruby, thanks for that. My poor vet hated having to tell me this. Funnily enough she's never phoning with good news