Joint infection (septic arthritis)
A joint may become infected due to penetration of the joint or, less commonly, by the spread of infection within the blood.
Signs
Horses will show a very severe, non-weight bearing lameness with a hot, painful swelling of the joint. In some cases joint fluid continues to drain through the wound preventing the build up of fluid within the joint and, therefore, the lameness may not be as severe.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis is usually reached by analyzing a sample of synovial fluid from the joint. X-rays may show aggressive damage to the joint.
Treatment
The best treatment is to flush the joint surgically, usually via arthroscopy (key hole surgey), combined with antibiotic therapy. The affected joint should be bandaged tightly and the horse placed on box rest. Treatment is best carried out a soon as possible to increase the chances of getting the infection under control and reducing the risk of further problems, e.g. degenerative joint disease (DJD). If DJD is considered likely, medication may be required to prevent the onset of the condition.