Ringbone

[Madam_max]

Can anyone tell me a bit more about it please?

 

[Paint it Lucky]

Ringbone is when new bone is thrown out of the upper aspect of the phalanges (toe bones). It can be:
#high- proximal interphalangeal (mid pastern region)
#low- distal interphalangeal (top of hoof)
#articular (true ringbone, affects a joint)
or #non articular (false ringbone, less serious unless tendons affected).

Ringbone occurs due to inflammation of the periosteum (the lining round bone), which may be due to:
Trauma
Fracture
Puncture wound
Torn ligaments
Upright conformation
Heavy horses
Work on uneven ground
Tendon strain, tearing attachments so damaging periosteum

Signs: Lameness is exagerrated during turning
Heat and swelling intially then cold and hard
Flexion reduces if joint affected

Diagnose with nerve blocks or x-rays

Treatment: No real cure
Anti-inflammatories when forming
Use of roller/rocker toed shoes to ease breakover or wedges to raise heels
The joint may fuse naturally so horse will come sound but wth reduced limb flexion (but due to the area this is generally not serious), or vet can fuse joint surgically using screws (arthrodesis).
Neurectomy (cutting nerves, doesn't actually treat just relieves pain for 12 months or so until nerves grow back).
Sodium Hyaluronate injections into the joint may help in some cases.
Bits of bone can be removed surgically but this tends to cause more problems.

Hope this helps!

 

[Spot1]

Ringbone is bony growth (exostosis) on the bones of the digit, (the long pastern, short pastern and or pedal bone). High ringbone affects the lower part of the long pastern and or the higher part of the short pastern. Low ringbone affects the lower part of the short pastern and or the upper part of the pedal bone. If the surfaces of a joint are affected it is termed articular ringbone. It is often caused by concussion or uneven strain on the collateral ligaments this leads to inflammation of the membrane covering the bones (periostitis). Treatment relies on removing the cause, problems will depend on any other structures involved, for example tendons, in the case of high articular ringbone the pastern joint will have to fuse completely (ankylosis) before the horse will go sound.

 

[_daisy_]

MM - have a look at these. My mare was diagnosed with it in 2004

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ringbone
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/horsecare/1370/34433.html
http://www.perfecthorse.com/sample/ringbone.html
http://www.horse-previews.com/1100articles/vetcorner1100.html

any reason you ask?

 

[Madam_max]

Thanks for all your replies. I sometimes think Corroy struggles a bit with roadwork, fine on soft going, but this is intermittent. She does dish so she is hard to access in front. Also on feeling her pasterns she has (I think) quite pronounced joints. I am prob worrying over nothing. She is 15.