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Doggy Diaper Designer
Posts: 2322
 
Location: WI | I have a horse that is hock and stifle sore with flexion. Is there anything else a person can do to avoid hundreds in injections that will actually work? Or are injections really the end all be all for that? |
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Expert
Posts: 2685
 
| Injections are going to be the only think that you will 100% know is in there, doing the job. There are several products on the market that claim to take the place/ lengthen the use of injections, but who knows what does and doesn't work 0.o
Can I ask why you don't want to do injections? Is it $? I would be curious to see what you would spend in other therapies to get results compared to biting the bullet on injections.
All of this being said, hocks you can just inject with steroid (cheaper than HA) because we usually just want to take away the inflammation/ pain- not stop the joint from degenerating and fusing. Might be able to replace this with an inflammation supplement?
Stifles..... I highly recommend injecting with HA, or some other supportive agent. Those are high motion joints that go quickly once they start. That one is more about saving the joint, than pain. I don't think I would gamble it on another supportive therapy that may or may not help.
Another important thing to think about it why* is the horse sore there? Hocks fusing? (no big deal) Stifles incurring natural aging processes (manageable), stifles have chip, OA or meniscus issues? (much bigger battle)
Hope this helps lol. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 639
Location: God's country...aka TEXAS | Nothing will help as much as injections. Just bite the bullet, it will help your horse feel sooo much better. Alternative therapies may help extend the time between injections. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1514
Location: Illinois | If its just general wear & tear from running hard or aging then honestly I think injections would be the cheapest route overall. And you can find places that don't charge an arm & a leg. I got coffins, stifles, a hocks on one and hocks on another last time I was at my vet and I was in & out at $450. Keeps them good all year. Who knows what else I'd spend on other therapies that probably wouldn't have as strong of an effect. I don't ride 4 months out of the year so if they wear off it's usually while they're out to pasture |
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 The Bling Princess
Posts: 3411
Location: North Dakota | IMO once you have inflammation in the joint it's time for an injection, depending on how bad it is. If it's minor you may get by with Equiox or Bute, but since your stifles are sore too I'm thinking your beyond the therapeutic benefits of NSAIDs and need to go right into the joint. I'd inject the hocks with a steroid and I'd IRAP the stifle, since it's a high motion joint, and be done with it. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 595
Location: North Dakota | Cur-OST products helped my older gelding more than hock and stifle injections ever did. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | Talk to your vet to get the final word. Injections are usually the best way to go but there are different kinds you can do. IRAP for instance involves no steroid and I have used it with some success, especially for high motion joints. For middle and lower hocks, steroid is usually the best way to go. There are different kinds of steroid too but your vet should know which to use. You can use products like Adequan and Legend to extend the life of the injections. There are some general anti-inflammatory supplements that may also help with this based on turmeric/curcumin. I have heard some of the new CBD oil or pellet supplements may also fight inflammation some too like the turmeric. But to stop the inflammation IN the joint, they pretty much have to have an injection. The other stuff just helps prolong its life and helps with overall body soreness. |
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 Did I miss the party?
Posts: 3864
| To get inflammation out quickly and if vet is sure it's the best course of action, get injections. But further make sure you're doing all you can to not contribute to continuing inflammation or soreness as well.
Make sure their feet are balanced.
If they're shod, make sure it's with a shoe that offers support and fits their turning style.
Make sure your saddle fits well.
Feed them a diet that doesn't promote inflammation. |
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Gettin Jiggy Wit It
Posts: 2734
| No.... Injections are the only proven relief for arthritis. Bute and equioxx help with pain but to a certain extent when it gets bad enough. Oral joint supplements are a waste in my opinion and adequan is limited to how much relief it really give too. Anyone who says otherwise I'd like to see your proof.... |
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 IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
| There are studies that support resveratrol, which is the ingredient in red wine is effective for lameness. I have personally used Equithrive Joint on a horse that we had OCD surgery on for about 3 years. I did do injections, but compared to the supplement he works better on the supplement vs. the injections so we use that instead.
Here are some links that provide info from the studies:
https://equithrive.com/blogs/news/study-finds-resveratrol-is-effecti...
https://thehorse.com/18914/resveratrol-supplement-can-help-reduce-ho...
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 542
| Inject your horse to get the fluid out and a steroid in......your horse will thank you. So many ppl are do not inject and they don't even realize their horse can't actually use itself anymore then they get soft tissue injuries bc the horse won't sit down and turn on it's booty anymore. If you don't get them out of pain they will change the way they turn, quit running, or start bad habits . |
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Doggy Diaper Designer
Posts: 2322
Location: WI | Thank you for all the input. Much appreciated |
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The Bling Princess
Posts: 3411
Location: North Dakota | runfastturnsmooth - 2018-07-10 9:39 PM Inject your horse to get the fluid out and a steroid in......your horse will thank you. So many ppl are do not inject and they don't even realize their horse can't actually use itself anymore then they get soft tissue injuries bc the horse won't sit down and turn on it's booty anymore. If you don't get them out of pain they will change the way they turn, quit running, or start bad habits .
Not only what she said, but leaving inflammation in the joint is going to deteriorate any healthy cartilage you have left. The benefits of what injections can do far outweighs any risk in my opinion. Just make sure you have a good vet who regularly injects hocks. |
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