Hindlimb Disorders

Below the stifle joint, the main source of lameness disorders within the hindlimb is the hock or tarsal joint. Farthest from the hock, the soft tissues suffer some of the strains and disorders of their counterparts within the forelimb and are addressed in the same manner. However, the disorders of the hock will benefit from infrared therapeutic heat. Bone spavin, curbs, cunean bursitis, capped hocks, degenerative joint disease and osteochondrosis are all lameness disorders of the tarsal joint and its surrounding soft tissue.

Bone spavin - This is a condition of osteochondrosis and osteitis of the tarsal bones of the hock. This is a degenerative condition that can eventually lead to an ankylosis, the fusion of bones at a joint, or fusion of the joints within the hock. This disorder is quite common in standardbreds and the first indication that the problem exists is the animal will exercise "on the line". This means that the animal is not pacing or trotting straight in the cart but that the hindquarters are moving towards the shaft of the cart either towards or away from the affected side.

Infrared therapeutic heat will decrease the viscosity of the joint fluid, and provide more flexibility to the tendonous and ligamentous structures within the area. Also, the increased circulation within the tissues will also alleviate pain

Curbs Conformational challenges, disordered animals, predispose the animal to curbs. A "curb" is a sprain to the tarsal plantar ligament. The clinical sign of this disorder is a visual swelling on the plantar aspect of the hock distal to the point of the hock. When palpated, feeling for pain sensitive areas, there is usually heat and swelling in these soft tissues. The goal of the physical therapy aspect of treating this disorder is to reduce the swelling, alleviate pain, and restore the tissues to a normal state. Unfortunately, once this injury occurs, it often becomes chronic and requires therapy on a daily basis.

Cunean bursitis - Cunean bursitis is an inflammatory reaction within the cunean bursa, cunean tendon and all of the associated soft tissue structures around the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints. The most common cause of this disorder is improper training. Asking the animal to perform too hard, too soon is often coupled with improper shoeing and a conformationally challenged horse. An aggressive physical therapy program using infrared therapeutic heat together with a reconditioning period in the training program will allow an almost complete recovery from this injury.

Capped hock - A capped hock is a visible subcutaneous, lying under the skin, swelling at the point of the hock. It is a hydroma , cystic swelling, or a traumatic bursitis that usually results from an animal kicking either in the stall or trailer. The goal of infrared therapeutic heat to these cases is to reduce the swelling within the tissues. Since most of these animals are "kickers," care must be taken in introducing these animals to this therapy program.

Osteochondrosis - Osteochondrosis of the tarsal bones is a failure of the developing cartilage cells to form good solid bone. These areas of inadequate bone development cannot withstand the stresses placed upon them as sold bony tissue normally would. This results in pain and inflammation within the joint. Conservative treatment of these lesions includes systemic and intraarticular therapy coupled with an aggressive physical therapy program. In severe cases, arthroscopic surgery is required to help resolve this severe lameness issue. Infrared therapeutic heat will allow the joint fluid to properly lubricate, reduce the swelling and alleviate the pain within the joint. If surgery is required to resolve the issue, several days after surgery infrared heat therapy can be used to speed the recovery.