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Arthritis: Early Detection, Prompt Treatment The Keys To Long-Term Management

Though the term “arthritis” can be intimidating to horse owners, the diagnosis doesn't mean retirement is inevitable. Arthritis simply means inflammation in a joint, and can be caused by either an acute trauma or by chronic overuse.

A healthy joint boasts smooth bones as well as healthy cartilage and synovial fluid. Arthritis occurs when one of these is compromised, damaging the cartilage or bone. “Osteoarthritis” is degenerative joint disease; it is often more severe and can have long-term effects on a horse's soundness and comfort.

An injury that causes arthritis can be managed so that its long-term effects are minimal. A horse with arthritis will have pain and swelling, as well as a reduced range of motion from the joint inflammation. If this condition isn't caught quickly, the body may lay down rough new bone with no cartilage, causing a constant loop of joint damage, regeneration and swelling.

The best way to prevent arthritis from becoming a long-term issue is to identify and treat inflammation as soon after injury as possible. Ultrasound images are often the best way to diagnose a soft-tissue or cartilage injury early; X-rays are more helpful if the injury wasn't caught soon after onset, as they show bone formation.

The best way to prevent long-term damage from arthritis is to utilize stall rest and patience. Modalities designed to increase circulation, like shockwave therapy, can also be used.

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Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often given to minimize pain and swelling. Joint injections can also be considered. These injections may include corticosteroids, which are anti-inflammatories that suppress the horse's natural immune response and reduce the development of rough bone, or hyaluronic acid (HA) injections, which can replace or supplement existing HA.

Joint Care: Provide Support After Wounds, Infection

Viscous and transparent, synovial fluid acts as a biological lubricant within musculoskeletal mechanisms. Penetrating wounds to joints and tendon sheaths cause most infections, though pathogens carried in the bloodstream, as with foals diagnosed with joint ill, have been implicated, as has contamination at the time of intraarticular injection or surgery. Veterinarians refer to infection that sets up in any structure containing synovial fluid, namely joints, tendons, and bursas, as synovial sepsis.

Prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment minimize damage to septic structures and often prevent career- and life-threatening consequences. To determine if infection is present, bacterial isolation through culture is the best diagnostic tool, yet low sensitivity and long laboratory turnaround time often preclude a definite diagnosis in the face of emergency situations and treatment decisions, which may include joint irrigation and surgery. Because of these limitations, researchers have sought alternative ways to quickly identify the presence of infection.

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Austrian researchers recently evaluated the presence of specific biomarkers, called antimicrobial proteins, in synovial fluid as a way to confirm infection.^* These proteins are activated by the immune system in response to a pathogenic challenge, so their existence in the fluid indicates sepsis. According to the researchers, “using enzyme activity as a biomarker of synovial sepsis enables the development of a point-of-care diagnostic test, which would allow veterinarians to perform, analyze, and act on test results stall-side, in a matter of minutes.”

In the study, researchers collected synovial fluid samples from three groups of horses: healthy controls, horses with aseptic synovitis (inflammation without infection), and horses with septic synovitis. Enzyme activity assays were compared with standard synovial fluid parameters and broad-range bacterial DNA extraction.

The researchers found enzyme activities were significantly different between septic synovial samples and aseptic and control samples, leading them to believe that measurement of enzyme activities would allow for reliable, rapid diagnosis of synovial sepsis and immediate therapeutic interventions.

Joint health depends largely on conscientious management of exercise, including frequency and intensity of athletic bouts, and the provision of high-quality nutritional supplements formulated specifically for joint support. While synovial sepsis typically develops from injuries that compromise the joint capsule, it can occur following routine intraarticular injection of hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids, though the incidence of infection is uncommon.^° The prophylactic use of joint supplements in high-performance horses and prospects can delay the need for joint injections, thus postponing any risk associated with invasive procedures.

^*Haralambus, R., A. Florczyk, E. Sigl, S. Gultekin, C. Vogl, S. Brandt, M. Schierer, C. Gamerith, and F. Jenner. 2021. Detection of synovial sepsis in horses using enzymes as biomarker. Equine Veterinary Journal. In press.

^°Steel, C.M., R.R. Pannirselvam, and G.A. Anderson. 2013. Risk of septic arthritis after intra-articular medication: A study of 16,624 injections in Thoroughbred racehorses. Australian Veterinary Journal 91(7):268-273.

Snap, Crackle, Pop: What Creaky Joints Mean

It's not unusual for equine caretakers to hear their steed's joints pop and crack when they move. Though alarming, these noises are generally nothing to worry about. Joints make noise when the joint capsule is stretched and releases gas from the joint fluid very quickly. This is the same process that allows people to “crack” their knuckles; after a bit of time, the same joint can be cracked again.

The most-mobile joints tend to be the loudest: knees, hocks and stifles. Joints in the neck or back may also pop, especially when the horse is stretching.

Cracking doesn't mean that a joint is tight, loose or out of alignment. If the horse is sound and comfortable, clicking joints is nothing to worry about.

American Farrier’s Association And Farrier Industry Association Join Forces

The Boards of Directors of the American Farrier's Association [AFA] and Farrier Industry Association [FIA] are proud to announce a joint management agreement that will bring the two associations together under one roof. This agreement, which is designed to provide increased synergies between AFA members and the manufacturers, distributors and suppliers that support them, was signed by the Presidents of both organizations on June 16, 2020.

“This is a very exciting time for both associations, and we have some plans that we are sure will bring the manufacturing and vendor side of the industry closer to our AFA members. A lot of work has gone into this merger and we hope you will join us in our excitement,” said Jon Johnson, CJF, AFA President.

Although the brands and identities of the AFA and the FIA will remain unchanged, the two associations will be jointly managed to provide enhanced benefits, streamlined communications and increased education for the betterment of both groups. “We truly believe that both associations will grow, thrive and continue the positive momentum that they have already established under this agreement”, said Executive Director, Martha Jones. “I can't wait to see what we can accomplish together.”

The two associations will continue working together on the AFA annual convention, as well as on additional projects to align the organizations and provide increased benefits for their members.

“We certainly see this as groundbreaking,” said FIA President, Chuck Milne. “In fact, bringing the industry and farriers closer together is something we have all wanted to see for quite some time. I believe this agreement will directly benefit our organizations both individually and collectively, as well,” he said.

Representing professional farriers, veterinarians, suppliers and horse owners, the American Farrier's Association is the oldest and largest membership organization for the farrier industry in North America, and the only one with internationally recognized standards of competency through our certification programs. Setting the standard for excellence in hoof care, the AFA provides professional development, certification, leadership, and resources for the benefit of the farrier industry and the welfare of the horse. Learn more here.

The organization of the MarketPlace at the AFA Convention is just one facet of this vibrant and multi-dimensional organization. The FIA membership is made up of suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers of farrier-related products from around the world. If it is important to our members' businesses, it is important to the FIA. We are committed to helping our members grow their businesses with networking, education, marketing and outreach through our Business Conference, newsletter, membership directory, website and much more. Learn more here.

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