Traumatic arthritis
Traumatic arthirits is inflammation within the stifle joint and may be caused by trauma or poor conformation.
There is often distention (swelling) of the joint with reduced motility of the joint and pain when it is flexed. Lameness may be slight and intermittent or may be more severe and have occurred more suddenly.
Diagnosis
X-rays will often show no obvious changes within the joint, these changes often take a long while to occur, unless a fracture is present.
Treatment
Treatment is aimed at reducing the inflammation and preventing/reducing cartilage damage. Horses with acute arthritis should be rested and regular cold water hosing employed. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as phenylbutazone (‘bute’) and feed supplements containing chondroitin and glucosamine sulphate are often used to great affect. Agents are often injected directly into the joint such as corticosteroids, to reduce inflammation, and hyaluronic acid, to help repair cartilage. Other drugs can be injected at regular intervals into the muscle of the horse and have a similar effect as those injected into the joint.
As explained above key-hole surgery can be performed to flush the joint to dispose of any debris and inflammatory cells that contribute to the damage as well as aiding in finding a diagnosis.
Treatment is best carried out a soon as possible to reduce the chances of further problems, e.g. degenerative joint disease (DJD).