Is there a treatment option for a degenerative stifle in a racing horse?

Question

The Filly is a great racehorse but will not be able to race anymore with this condition, are there any treatment options(surgery's) that would allow her to one day race again at a high level?

Informed answers only please.

Provide specifics if possible.

thanks,

Roger

Answer 1

Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) is a chronic condition.  Some horses respond well to temporary solutions, like injections of hyaluronic acid or corticosteroids into the joint can squeeze a few more races from a horse.  Injections aren't a permanent fix and you are basically trading a few good races for an increase in long term pain management in the future.

Answer 2

unfortunately it's not good news, my brother just had to stop (for good, anyone want a 17 hands pet) on a 3 year old who clicked off 18 second 1/8's while he galloped, but when he worked his stifles would lock and he would be rank as h**l.  It really isn't worth injecting the horse to get her to a race, unless this is the end of the line for her (if she is running in a graded race and has no graded type on her page, or if she is running in a stake and has no black type, otherwise it's not worth the risk).  If you do inject her you will be buying a race or 2, but you will also be masking something very serious (which could cause a breakdown), if she is such a good race mare then she's probably worth something as a broodmare and it would be much more beneficial to retire her and breed her than to tap her and wreck her .

Answer 3

call the horse vet for advice

Answer 4

Have you looked at stem cell implanting?

Relativly new a few horses have regaiend use of ligaments no other treatment fixed...but for a moving joint?  Roger thats bad news mate. Retire the filly and move on.Shes not getting younger.