Infected joints and tendon sheaths

We see more than 150 infected joints and tendon sheaths each year, often caused by wire or kick injuries. If not treated promptly and aggressively, it can be very difficult to get these infections under control resulting in the death of the horse.

It is for this reason that we have decided as a hospital policy to manage all of these cases using endoscopic guidance.

This allows us to:

• Thoroughly evaluate the joint or tendon sheath, assess trauma, and remove foreign material

• Perform a very effective lavage

• Decrease the period of hospitalisation

• Get the horses back to exercise early with a good prognosis for returning to full function

Using this regime, we have shown a 90% survival rate (leaving the hospital) and we are monitoring these horsesto determine the percentage that are able to go back to full work.