Bone spavin

Bone spavin is a bony growth within the lower hock joint of horse or cattle. It is caused by osteoarthritis, and the degree of lameness that results can be serious enough to end a horse's competitive career.

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Description of bone spavin

Bone spavin is osteoarthritis, or the final phase of degenerative joint disease (DJD), in the lower three hock joints. It usually affects the two lowest joints of the hock (the tarsometatarsal and the distal intertarsal joints), with the third joint, the proximal intertarsal, being the least likely to develop bone spavin. This condition has more than one ‘type’. Jack spavin is the term used if the lesion on the tarsal and carpal bones is large. If the pathology occurs higher in the joint than is typical, it is termed high spavin. Conversely, occult spavin does not produce any significant exostoses on the small tarsals, whilst bog spavin and blood spavin show an absence of bony changes which has been considered to make them irrelevant to those studying animal paleopathology (Baker and Brothwell, 1980).

For a detailed picture of the bones and joints within the hock, see [1].

Causes

Cartilage compression

Excessive compression can cause, over time, the cartilage between the upper and lower surfaces of the lower tarsal bones to become compressed and eroded. The joint spaces then become smaller, and new bone growth may occur in the area.

Uneven loading

Uneven loading causes excessive compression of the cartilage and bone on one side, and strain in the joint capsule and supporting ligaments on the other side. When the joint is repeatedly overloaded on the edge of its surface, exostoses, or "bone spurs," occur. Strain of the supporting ligaments can cause exostosis around the joint as well.

Contributing factors

There are several conformational defects that contribute to bone spavin. Those that cause uneven loading of the hocks, such as sickle hocks and cow hocks, are especially noteworthy. Poor trimming or shoeing can also contribute to bone spavin in any horse, no matter what their conformation.

Certain types of activities may also contribute to uneven or repeated loading of the lower hock joints, and thus bone spavin. These include sports that require a great deal of hock flexion (dressage), stress (jumping), sudden stops or turns (western events, such as reining), or a great deal of concussion (Standardbred racing).

"Juvenile spavin" is the occurrence of bone spavin in horses less than 3 years old. It usually occurs before the animal has done much work, and some veterinarians believe it is from osteochondrosis.

Typical signs of bone spavin

Initially, signs of bone spavin may include sporadic and vague hindlimb lameness.

In many cases lameness worsens, becoming more obvious and consistent. Advanced cases may have a bony swelling on the hock, typically on the inside of the joint. Lameness, although usually worse in one leg, is commonly bilateral.

The affected limb usually lands toe-first, wearing down that foot faster than the other. The affected limb usually has a shorter, lower arc than the other foot, as the horse is trying to reduce the painful flexion of the joint, so the leg appears to drag.

A flexion test of an affected limb often produces a temporary worsening of the lameness. Such a response to a flexion test would support the diagnosis of bone spavin. A flexion test involves holding the hock in forced flexion for a period of time before trotting the horse away immediately.

Diagnosis of bone spavin

A provisional diagnosis of bone spavin should usually be supported by further investigation in order to confirm the diagnosis.

X-ray

Typical radiographic changes include spurs, new bone, bone destruction and/or joint narrowing or loss.

Intra-articular local anaesthesia

Anaesthesia of an affected joint is the most definitive way of confirming the presence of bone spavin. Introduction of local anaesthetic into a joint should abolish the lameness and show beyond doubt that the joint is the cause of the lameness.

Treatment of bone spavin

Bony changes of the lower hock joint are irreversible. It is possible, however, to manage the problem and thereby slow the progression of the bone spavin, ease the pain, and control the lameness. Surgery is an option for horses that do not respond to conventional treatments.

Medications

NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, may help improve the lameness in the horse. However, it is important to note that high doses of NSAIDs given over several days can cause kidney damage, as well as ulcers. NSAIDs may also be illegal in competition, so it may be necessary to stop treatment with NSAIDs several days before the horse competes.

Corticosteroid injections into the lower hock joints may solve the lameness of the horse for several weeks or months. Unlike other joints, the drugs can be repeatedly injected into the lower tarsal joints as needed. Again, it is important to check association rules to see if corticosteroids are not allowed in competition, so that they may be discontinued before the horse competes.

Other joint medications, like hyaluronic acid and Adequan, may help alleviate the pain if the horse has mild bone spavin. However, they are less useful for treating moderate of severe cases. MSM may also help horses with moderate bone spavin.

Shoeing

Proper shoeing is critical in the management of a horse with bone spavin. Shoes most helpful for these horses include shoes that assist in breakover (like a square or rolled toe, or shoes with wedge pads). Shoes with heel support may also help horses with bone spavin, such as egg bar shoes.

Exercise and work

It is best for a horse with bone spavin to be exercised daily. Preferably, this should be ridden or driven work, as round pen or longeing exercise places uneven stress on the joint. Pasture turnout may not be beneficial if the horse does not move much.

It is best to decrease the intensity of the workload for a horse with bone spavin. However, even with careful management, bone spavin will progressively get worse, and the animal may not be able to continue at the level of competition it was first used for once the lameness is consistent. Many horses can still be successful in a less-strenuous career. Light exercise is better than no exercise at all, and a change of career may prolong the horse's useful life.

Surgery

Fusion of the joint with bone may end the lameness, as the joint has then become stable. However, this may take several years, or never occur. In these cases, surgery may be an option.

Some of the joint cartilage is destroyed with a drill bit, and the holes are sometimes filled with bone grafts. The veterinarian may also inject a caustic agent into the joint to destroy the cartilage, as opposed to drilling the joint. After the procedure, the horse will be lame for weeks or months, until the joint has fused.

Exercise can help accelerate the fusion of the bones, so the horse may be hand-walked after the injection. NSAIDs are usually given to ease the pain.

Prognosis for bone spavin

The prognosis for bone spavin varies, depending on several factors including:

• the number of joints involved
• the severity of the bony changes within these joints
• how quickly the horse's condition is worsening
• what the horse is used for

Most horses cannot continue at a high-level of competition for long. However, many horses can continue happily for use as a trail or pleasure horse, or for light work.

Sources

Baker, J, and Brothwell, D. 1980. Animal Diseases in Archaeology. London: Academic Press.

King, Christine, BVSc, MACVSc, and Mansmann, Richard, VDM, PhD. 1997. Equine Lameness. Equine Research, Inc. Pages 839-847.