Synovitis

[spannahw]

Hello all,

Wondered if anyone could help. A friend of mine's horse has suspected synovitis in the coffin joint. Not something we've come across before so wondered if anyone had any experience of it? Any info would be much appreciated!

 

[tillyd]

Hello

Synovitis is excess joint (synovial) fluid and joint inflammation isn't it? If so, then yes my horse has it, it just wasn't labelled with that particular term. She was diagnosed by MRI scan as having excess fluid in/round her coffin joints, which is basically the early signs of arthritis - the fluid is produced as the joint tries to protect/cushion itself (I'm sure that's probably not medically exactly correct, but its something like that).
She has just finished a fairly lengthy course of treatment - she had cortisone injections into the joint to start, and has just finished a course of IRAP.
How was your friend's horse diagnosed? Is he lame?

 

[spannahw]

Thanks very much for your reply, TILLYD.

He's been lame to varying degrees for a few months. Xrays have pretty much ruled out any other problems and I believe he's had one steroid-based injection into the joint, but is still slightly lame. Sometimes its very slight, other times a little more obvious. Does that ring any bells? I think MRI scan was suggested as the next step.

How is your mare doing now? Has she responded to the treatment?

 

[clairencappelli]

Your description of what is your fiend is going throught is a mirror image of what i have been through since april.

The synotivus is as tillyd said inflamation of the joint- a build up of synovial fluid to protect the joint.

My horse first had a scan and nothing was found so she was rested for 3 weeks thinking it was a sprained fetlock, 4 weeks later she was no better so went back for xrays( again nothing found ). She also had a nerve block done and fluild drawn off of the joint to test for loose cartledge and a sterroid/HA injection. She had a further sterroid/hydrochloric acid injection a week later and was left on continued box rest. The fuild tested showed no signs of loose cartledge. She still got no better so we gave her another 6 weeks then called in a specialist surgeon.

Dr david platt did an arthroscopy on her and found massive cartledge trauma. She had thrown all of her weigh onthe the right leg and the bottom of the cannon bone had impacted into the fetlock smashing much of the joint up. We were all horrified as she was only ever 1/10ths lame after the inital severe lameness. Nobody expceted it but Dr platt tidied the joint up and removed the smashed up cartledge that was floating about and she is now 4 months post op and just been going out for the last month. I hope to be able to ride her again in jan but she will never bee what she was before.

Im sorry to hear your friends horses isnt well - its the not knowing that so hard and fustrating.

 

[tillyd]

Hello

I didn't have x rays, just went for the horribly expensive mri straight away - its the only thing that will diagnose for sure. Worth the money if your friend can afford (or insurance will cough up) as at least you know what you're dealing with.
My mare is more unlevel than lame - really only shows badly when she's lunged on a hard surface. Generally i noticed her feeling a bit short, and just not moving as she used to (she used to have lovely paces *melodramatic sob*!!)
The cortisone/HA injections (steroids) didn't really do anything. She had the last of a course of IRAP jabs last week and so I will get on her next week and see how she is. She will certainly be fine for hacking about etc, its just whether she'll be sound enough for me to compete which is what i really want to do. She looked sound enough hooning round the field this morning!!
Best wishes to your friend, I know how horrible and stresfull it is. Fingers crossed I might have some good news to post next week! PM me if you want any more info.

 

[spannahw]

claire_and_cappelli, that sounds awful! She must be one tough cookie. Really hope you get to enjoy her again. Like you say, its so frustrating when it takes time to get to the root of the problem and you're unsure how to treat it. Best of luck with your girl.

 

[spannahw]

Thanks again, TILLYD. Your experience really does sound very similar all round. My friend is in the process of arranging the MRI scan so she'll hopefully know what she's dealing with soon. If she has any more questions, I'll certainly PM you, thanks!!

Do let us know how your mare gets on - really hoping its good news. They really do put us through it!