Page 356 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

• heat

• distension of the joint capsule due to increased production of synovial fluid
VetBooks.ir • soft tissue swelling around the joint

•
lameness which may be sudden or gradual in onset. The horse may appear stiff at first
and take longer to warm up

• pain on passive motion of the joint
• pain on flexion of the joint

• increased lameness after flexion.

In advanced cases there may be:
• joint enlargement due to thickening of the synovial membrane and joint capsule due to

deposition of fibrous tissue and new bone in response to the inflammation
• a reduced range of joint movement.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of osteoarthritis is made from:

• the history

• clinical signs
• radiography

• nerve blocks

• ultrasonography

• scintigraphy

• arthroscopy
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

• computed tomography (CT) scan.

THE TREATMENT OF DEGENERATIVE JOINT DISEASE

(DJD)

Once articular cartilage has been damaged, it is rarely completely repaired. The aim of

treatment is therefore to:

• remove the cause if possible (e.g. modify training programmes, treat infection, correct