FlyingJT - 2015-01-05 4:51 PM Update: 1/5/15 It's been several months now and the wound is almost healed, however she is still lame. Made an appointment with OSU and took her in this morning. Took more X-rays and found the culprit. WIRE! There is a piece of wire lodged in the coffin joint and has traveled to the opposite side. Vets were very surprised she was even weight bearing on that leg and that there was no infection. She goes into surgery tomorrow morning to get it removed and once we are in the clear from infection I'll bring her home. Please think good thoughts that there is no complications and the road to recovery will be smooth. We won't know how sound she'll be when this is all over but I'm hoping for her that she'll be 100%, two is too young for her to be deemed a broodmare only!

lindseylou2290 - 2015-01-06 8:45 AM

 Lots of prayers for an easy surgery and fast recovery!  How's the husband??!? 

IRunOnFaith - 2015-01-06 2:42 PM

Yay she's out!   Great news. I'm guessing the cartilage damage is easily fixable?... I don't have any experience with this but I'm hoping it's reversable?... Curious for the x-Rays and pics.  

Great job OSU. Continued Prayers. 

FlyingJT - 2015-01-06 2:55 PM no, cartilage can't necessarily be repaired. The tissue it's self has a very limited ability to repair damage. The one advantage she may have is that she is only two, with her body still developing and growing we may have some chance that her body will repair the damage. We are going to try and give her the best possibility in repairing it with the supplements and maybe IRAP.

FlyingJT - 2015-01-06 1:03 PM

She's up and out of surgery! They first thought that they were going to have to make an a substantial incision to get the wire out but they were able to change their approach and use a new system they got in, a needle scope, and inject the joint with fluid and push the metal to the front of the joint. There they were able to make a small incision, about 1cm(the width of the end of your finger), and remove it. He said the protein levels in the joint were at a normal level of 2, and the joint fluid was slightly off color and bloody but to be expected consider what was in it. He doesn't believe that there is much infection but is going to do three rounds of isolated antibiotics to the joint. There is slight cartilage damage which we will start Adequan immediately for. They are going to keep her at the school until Friday, if all is well and no signs of infection she will come home. I'm trying to determine what I can do extra to help that joint repair and decrease the chances of any further damage. Concerned about arthritis.

Open to any ideas.

I will probably putt her in softrides to help circulation along with the Back on track wraps and PHT wraps. My local vet has a Class IV Laser that we will try out, never had experience with one so not sure if it works.

**I will try to post pictures of the x-rays and the wound as soon as I can.**

cheryl makofka - 2015-01-07 12:47 AM


For the damaged cartilage have you discussed with the vets prp, irap, stem cells,

Or adequan Ia - I heard the new studies show less of a chance if joint infection as the initial studies (50%) and the studies have shown success with cartilage regeneration if given ia. I know my vet used it successfully on a stallion who was bone on bone as a last resort before euthanization made the horse pasture sound.

FlyingJT - 2015-01-06 10:10 AM He's good, back to work. He still has limited range of motion in his shoulder but it's getting better every day. his pelvis is almost healed, he's able to put about 80% of his weight on it. Thanks for asking!

readytorodeo - 2015-01-06 9:29 PM

 Ultra Oz ultrasound will speed up healing .