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Hock Arthrodesis in Horses – 2025 Vet Guide to Ethyl Alcohol Injections for Lower Hock Arthritis 🐎💉🦴
By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc
What Is Hock Arthritis? 🔍
The hock (or tarsus) is made up of several joints, and the lower hock joints—specifically the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints—are commonly affected by arthritis in performance horses. This condition causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and decreased range of motion in the hind limbs. Most hard-working horses over the age of 5 show signs of degenerative joint disease (DJD) in the hock. 🐴
Symptoms of Lower Hock Arthritis 🦵
- Stiffness in hind limbs, especially at the start of exercise
- Shortened stride and reluctance to engage the hind end
- Swelling or thickening around the hock joint
- Poor performance in lateral or collected movements
- Improvement after joint injections followed by recurrence
Traditional Treatment Options 💊
- Intra-articular injections with corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid
- Oral joint supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, etc.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like phenylbutazone ("bute")
- Exercise modification and therapeutic shoeing
These treatments help in early or moderate cases, but in advanced hock arthritis, the inflammation and pain may return despite regular injections or medication. 😓
What Is Arthrodesis? 🧬
Arthrodesis refers to the surgical or chemical fusion of a joint. In the case of hock arthritis, the goal is to eliminate movement in the lower hock joints entirely, thereby stopping the pain that results from joint movement and inflammation.
Ethyl Alcohol as a Non-Surgical Option 💉
Overview of the Procedure
- Uses ethanol (ethyl alcohol) to destroy the cartilage in the joint
- Injected directly into the lower hock joints under sedation
- The alcohol denatures the cartilage and stimulates bone fusion
Why This Works
By injecting alcohol, we initiate a process where the cartilage breaks down and the bones fuse together. Without a joint, there is no arthritis—and therefore, no pain. 🛑🔥
Research Results 📊
A study conducted at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine tested this method on 16 horses with severe lower hock arthritis. All horses were pain-free and returned to work within six months of treatment. 🙌
Benefits of Ethyl Alcohol Arthrodesis ✅
- Less invasive than traditional surgical fusion
- No need for general anesthesia
- Shorter recovery time
- Lower cost than laser or drill-assisted arthrodesis
- Minimal complications when performed correctly
Risks and Considerations ⚠️
- Not all hock joints can be injected—must target only the lower joints
- Must ensure no leakage into adjacent high-motion joints
- Proper technique is critical to avoid complications
- Fusion takes weeks to months; pain may recur briefly during healing
Which Horses Are Good Candidates? 🐴
- Performance horses with chronic, low-motion hock arthritis
- Horses that no longer respond to joint injections
- Horses with confirmed radiographic changes in lower hock joints
Recovery and Outcome ⏳
- Box rest for 7–10 days after injection
- Gradual return to light exercise over 6–8 weeks
- Full return to work expected within 3–6 months
FAQs 💬
Q: Can a fused hock joint still allow athletic performance?
A: Absolutely! The lower hock joints are low-motion joints, and fusion often improves a horse’s performance by relieving pain.
Q: Is this treatment safe?
A: Yes—when performed by a veterinarian trained in joint injections. The procedure is minimally invasive and has shown excellent outcomes.
Q: Will my horse need sedation or pain meds after?
A: Most horses are sedated for the procedure and may need anti-inflammatories for a few days afterward.
Real-Life Case: Barrel Horse with Chronic Hock Pain 🐎
- 9-year-old mare with recurrent lameness despite steroid injections
- Radiographs confirmed severe tarsometatarsal arthritis
- Ethyl alcohol arthrodesis performed in-clinic
- Returned to competition 5 months later, pain-free and performing well
Conclusion
For horses with advanced lower hock arthritis, ethyl alcohol arthrodesis offers a practical, minimally invasive solution with high success rates. In 2025, this method is becoming a preferred treatment for chronic hock pain when conservative management fails. 🎯
If your horse struggles with ongoing hock lameness despite regular injections or medication, talk to Dr Duncan Houston via AskAVet.com 📱 about whether ethyl alcohol arthrodesis is right for your horse. 🐎
