How do you treat sacroiliac pain in horses?
Treatment of sacroiliac pain may include rest, steroid injections, and anti-inflammatory medications. Shock wave therapy and acupuncture have been helpful for some horses.
Can a horse recover from SI injury?
A horse with a mild injury should recover and has a good chance of returning to full work. Horses with more severe cases of osteoarthritis or ligament damage may return to a low level of exercise, but their outlook for returning to high performance isn’t so good.
What are the symptoms of an SI joint problem?
What are the symptoms? The signs and symptoms of SI pain start in the lower back and buttock, and may radiate to the lower hip, groin or upper thigh. While the pain is usually one sided, it can occur on both sides. Patients may also experience numbness or tingling in the leg or a feeling of weakness in the leg.
How do you rehabilitate a horse with sacroiliac injury?
Treatments often include one or more of the following: rest, rehabilitation, strengthening exercises, and local injection of the joints and ligaments. Core training is important; making sure to keep the horse’s topline as well as their gluteal region strong.
Will SI joint pain heal on its own?
A traumatic event such as a car accident, fall, or a sudden twisting motion can lead to SI joint pain. Like other injuries to the body, this may heal on its own over time. However, if the pain persists for longer than three months, then it may be time to seek treatment.
What causes sacroiliac joint pain in horses?
SI pain is a consequence of a change in the mechanics of the horse’s back and hindlimbs. Therefore conditions such as suspensory ligament desmitis or kissing spines (impinging spinous processes) can be a precursor or sequel to SI pain. Xray and ultrasound of the SI region is limited due to the anatomy.
Does walking help SI joint pain?
When pain in your SI joint flares up, your doctor can bring you relief, but a few moves at home can help, too. It helps to be active, but start slowly, like with a few minutes of daily walking, swimming, or riding a stationary bike. If your pain level doesn’t go up, work up to 20 or 30 minutes of exercise at a time.
How do you treat sacroiliac joint inflammation?
Corticosteroids can be injected directly into the sacroiliac joint to reduce inflammation and pain. In some cases, your doctor might inject an anesthetic into the joint to help confirm the diagnosis. Treatment depends on your signs and symptoms, as well as the cause of your sacroiliitis.
What is hunter’s bump in horses?
A ‘Hunter’s Bump’ is a protrusion of the tuber sacrale. This is the area of the hip that will appear elevated along the lower part of your horse’s back, just above the croup. Technically, this is a subluxation of the sacroiliac joint, which may involve injury to the ligaments securing the pelvis and the spine.
How do you know if your horse has SI joint pain?
This test can confirm that the SI region is the source of your horse’s discomfort, but it doesn’t tell exactly what’s going on. The joint’s deep location makes it difficult to image, but several techniques can help zero in on the nature of the problem: A bone scan (nuclear scintigraphy) can reveal osteoarthritis.
What are the symptoms of sacroiliac joint problems in horses?
Symptoms of a sacroiliac joint problem revolve around the pain in the muscles of the hind end and pelvic regions. This discomfort can affect gait and performance. Signs can include: Horses at a higher risk of sacroiliac problems are:
How do SI joints work in horses?
Two SI joints connect these bony structures, and a series of ligaments along the central aspect of the joints hold those joints together, explains Rob van Wessum, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVSMR, Cert Pract KNMvD (Equine), of Equine All-Sports Medicine Center, in Mason, Michigan.
How do you treat an inflamed SI joint in a horse?
And the veterinarian should first address any primary causes, such as a hind-limb injury, adds Dyson. Van Wessum sometimes injects corticosteroids using a specific technique to reach the inflamed SI joint. Real healing of the SI region begins with exercise.