Joint Infections

Question 1

When are joint injections recommended for horses?

Answer 1

Degenerative change or OA formation; injury or trauma

Question 2

What drugs or products can be injected into joints?

Answer 2

Steroids, hyaluronic acid, or biologic products like IRAP, PRP, ProStride, and stem cells

Question 3

How are joint injections done?

Answer 3

As an outpatient procedure under standing sedation; the joint(s) are aseptically prepared to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination; the horse can return to full work 2 weeks post-injection

Question 4

What are the benefits of joint injections?

Answer 4

Breaking the inflammation cycle; promotes healing and regeneration

Question 5

What are the risks of joint injections?

Answer 5

Joint flare if inappropriate immune response to medications in joint; joint infection, which is serious and can be career-ending (~0.1% of cases)