Swollen Hock

Lotty, a five-year-old Quarterhorse National Reserve Halter Champion sustained a severe hock injury during gelding, struggling against restraining ropes as he was awakening from general anesthesia. A day or two later marked swelling of the joint was evident. Radio-graphs were taken and the joint was drained and injected. No definitive diagnosis was reached. The hock remained very swollen and a mild lameness was noted. After three or four months of rest and cold-hosing the hock was unimproved.

Lotty's owners then took him to Newbolten Center in New York to see Dr. Dean Richardson, a renowned equine orthopedic specialist. Dr. Richardson offered the opinion that surgery would not be of much value because he did not believe that debriment of the joint would significantly improve this condition. He ordered a topical sweat and recommended continued restricted exercise and a lot more time. He did not think a miraculous improvement could occur, but that the most important thing was for the horse to have plenty of time in a small turn-out. Dr. Richardson suspected Lotty's injury was a consequence of a very severe sprain of the joint capsule. The inflammation associated with the sprain may have caused persistent synovitis or inflammation of the lining of the joint. There was a great deal of fibrotic material and scar tissue in the joint. He told Lotty's owners that these kinds of injuries take a very long time to resolve and he did not believe that additional injections would be of any benefit. Dr. Richardson was quite concerned with the chronic nature of Lotty's injury.

The following week, five months after the initial injury, Lotty's owners searched the internet to locate alternative therapies. After consulting with Suzan Franz at Indian Creek Equine Rehabilitation Center they asked for Dr. Richardson's opinion of the chances that therapeutic ultra-sound might help Lotty's condition. Dr. Richardson was supportive. He felt that ultra-sound was the single modality that might lead to decreased swelling and scar tissue, but he cautioned them to make sure the work was done by a professional with the proper skills. He encouraged them to send Lotty to Indian Creek.

Lotty was hauled from New Foundland, Pennsylvania to Southern Illinois, a distance of some eight-hundred miles. After five weeks of therapy that included ultra-sound and homeopathics, Lotty's hock returned to normal, visually and functionally. Look carefully at the rear right hock. The before and after pictures tell the whole story.

Forever Grateful,
Pete & Bobbi Cook