Diseases of the carpus.

The research investigates diseases affecting the carpus in horses, providing recommendations for treatment, such as rest, swimming exercise, and the use of hyaluronic acid injections while cautioning against corticosteroid injections. It also explores common causes for lameness, including fractures, and explains the importance of treatment selection based on the severity of the disease and the specific case.

Degenerative Joint Disease

• The most commonly diagnosed carpal issue in horses is degenerative joint disease. Treating this involves a rest period of several months, rather than injections of corticosteroids which could make the condition worse.
• The research recommends swimming as a form of exercise during the resting period, as well as the use of intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid. These methods assist in restoring the health of the affected joints.

Carpal Fractures

• It’s often found that chip fractures in various carpal bones and the distal radius are a common cause of lameness in horses.
• However, not all horses with these fractures are suitable candidates for surgery. The researchers emphasized the importance of understanding the severity of the fractures in each case to determine the best treatment approach.

Other Carpal Diseases

• The study covers other less common diseases affecting the carpus, including fractures of the accessory carpal bone, hygromas, luxations, and ganglions.

Retirement and Repurposing

• The paper concludes with a discussion on horses that have been retired early from racing due to joint damage from multiple corticosteroid injections. These animals can still be utilized for other purposes.
• The researchers state the importance of considering the type of work the affected animal will be involved in when assessing lameness. For example, a racehorse with a minor carpal chip fracture might no longer be suitable for racing, but could still meet the requirements of a pleasure or timber horse.