Splints - Arizona Equine Medical and Surgical Centre

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- :• SPLINT)^v;.;:;
This is a photo
of the back of the
cannon bone, with
both splint bones
on either ^side.
Cosmetic Blemishes Are Not
Always A Source Of Lameness
by thr. I^rla Penman, DiV.M.
Arizona Equine Medical and
Surgical Centre ^Gilbert, Arizona
(480)962-6660
111
I
H
orses that haVe "splijtts" #re;ust*4ljy sound,
even though they havefirm*lumps on medial
or lateral tegs. Young horsed are ones who will
Acutely develop the condition, and as they age, the inflamIltiiation remains as a permanent bump, usually on the in-.
Hfcide of the cannon bone.
The term "splints" refers to inflammation around or iniVolving the splint bones. The cannon bone has two smaller
on either side of it that run from the carpus (or fhe
Pknee) down thfe length. These bones are connected to the
[>n bone by a ligament. Young horses cajt often injure
ligament that connects the splint bones to the cannon
pne, and it will become inflamed.
The reason for the injury to the ligament is that the
lint bones sit in an area where the carpus (knee) and tar\) have a greater amount of load. When younger
arses start work, they c^n place even greater strain on
beir joints, and some of that force x&n be transferred to the
it bones. When jthe splint bones are put under greater
e, they can be pressed to move ihdependently of the
ion bdne, and the .ligament connecting them will fray
^tear. The local inflarnmatioh Will lead to an increase in
tissue, and occasionally, ossification. This process
jtcaUed ossification, and will resttlt in a more lasting
ip, or ''splint/' that is tike most noticeable a couple
i below the carpiifc. Jhere are four different types or
s-for a isplint to occur.
I True Splint: A tear or strain of the ligament connecting
; splint bone to the cannon borie, resulting in a bump
pit is usually present on the insidfe of the leg (or the mel side).
f Blind Splint: Swelling that occurs on the inner part*of
|g splint, that is often difficult to see or detect pn physical
This swelling results in a space between the splint
,2013
and the suspensory ligament, and is often hard to identify.
Periostitis: Where.the periosteum (outer layer of the
bone itself) is damaged, causing inflammation that
spreads. A blemish icart jremain but is usually not associated with lameness,
8
Knee Splint: Where the top (or most proximal part) of
/the splint bone become^.inflamed and can cause osteoatthritis within the corpus.
*
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Arizona, Horse Connection 31
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1 Splints are usually seen in younger houses in trailing,
or.who have ji*st started'work The insicfe splint is the most
Common:t$••'dbiiftr^i bemuse of its relationship to $*& knee
and how thelxme! 6^tikekne§ move. The mechanical load
of the inside of the knee actually push the sm$H splint
bones down, creating the instability that leads to llgamehlous tearing. Conformation abnormalities^ imbaltAced n%ltrition or bvernutrition have also beeft associated with
splint development.
* Treatihent of splints typically is limited to the acute
frhase, or e&rly in the inflammatory process. Anti-inflammatory medications (such ais-butej, icing, pressure wraps
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Off, - (602) 765-8846 • Fax - (602) 765-8921
6CP-626-71QQ
[email protected]
are recommended. OA^r'lreafeifeirt$Hiitciude shock wave,
therapy, Surpass, ac!tif>iM^iie^d^i^ssage. Stemid injection^into the splitit |^icH\caii;^ld%ic^ inflammation and
m«iy help pi^vent^^e$s|wbi^loimation. Occasionally
spjints may require S&r^ety if tike bene^formation is exces$^e. Splint ^one^taAi^fo W fractured which is also associated with swelling ^^ inflamnoiatidn, Fractured splint
btfnes are associated with mtiltiple other complications.
stich as sequestrum and( osteomyelitis. The lateral (or outside) splint bone is most typically involved in fractures. It
is always advised to contact your veterinarian for diagnostics and diagnosis.
.
:
Horses with splints hav0 a g@pd to excellent prognosis
fof soundness. The
Affects
formance. Jiorses
^Jbcw^^ prolif<er^tion cati
ha
fl\ suspensbry4lg4||
where the
carp^l^joint
tl^^isk of osl
teoarthritis.
itely 4P<1 monitored
by yc^'y^rfaiar^^
althougjt when
appropriatel^spHl^ian fcau^ incurring lame*:
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