Veterinary Wellness Briefs: Joint Replacements for Equine Practitioners 

Equine practice is a physically demanding job, and many practitioners need joint replacements as they age. Here's what to expect.
Arthroplasty, hip replacement, joint replacement
Arthroplasty is a common surgical procedure that places some or all of a joint; surgeons perform more than 450,000 hip replacements every year in the U.S. | Adobe Stock

Many equine veterinarians need joint replacements as they age. Equine practice is a physical career with many repetitive movements that stress joints. Palpating mares for hours during the reproductive season or kneeling over sick neonates might seem of no consequence in your early years, but after three decades, these stresses can catch up to you. Whether it is a shoulder, knee, or hip that gives out, a joint replacement can bring positive changes that reduce pain and increase function. 

History of Joint Replacement Surgery

In a review examining the progression of total hip arthroplasty from its origins, Knight et al. state the earliest recorded hip replacement attempt occurred in Germany in 1891. Those results were presented at the 10th International Medical Conference, where Professor Themistocles Glück described the use of ivory to replace femoral heads of patients whose hip joints had been destroyed by tuberculosis. 

Modern hip joint replacement was first performed in the 1960s, with the femoral head of the hip joint removed and replaced with a socket and ball implant composed of polythene and steel and anchored with acrylic cement. In the 1970s, the condylar knee prosthesis was developed, which essentially relined the joint. Designs and instrumentation have continued to improve and better restore the anatomy of joints. As modern materials have been developed, the life span of joint replacements has increased sharply, allowing even younger patients to enjoy long-term results.  

Arthroplasty is a surgical procedure to replace some or all of a joint. Trauma that causes fractures or post-traumatic arthritis from serious injuries can be a common reason for needing a joint replacement. Arthroplasties are some of the most common surgeries, with surgeons performing more than 850,000 knee replacements and more than 450,000 hip replacements every year in the U.S. Generally, physicians recommend joint replacement surgery if you have severe symptoms that don’t improve after trying nonsurgical treatments such as activity modifications, physical therapy, or medications.  

Many equine veterinarians work until they are lame before seeking treatment. Symptoms that might indicate you need an arthroplasty include joint pain, decreased range of motion, limited mobility, effusion, or instability. Radiographs of an arthritic joint will reveal bone spurs, cysts, and/or narrowing of the joint space between bones, indicating cartilage loss. 

Joint Replacement Procedure and Recovery

During an arthroplasty procedure, your surgeon will remove damaged cartilage and bone, insert prosthetics to recreate your joint, and reshape the surrounding bone if needed to fit the new prosthetic. Surgeons often use robotic assistance to replace bigger joints like hips and knees. The recovery time depends on which joint was replaced, but it usually takes at least a few months. Returning to work too early is a mistake, because weakened muscles can lead to soft tissue injuries or falls.  

Final Thoughts

Caring for yourself with the same focus you would give your patients is not easy for some veterinarians. The time off from work and rehabilitation requirements stop many doctors from seeking treatment until they are significantly disabled and experiencing continual pain. Consider treating your physical body as an important resource that deserves the best. Increased functionality and decreased pain will be your reward. 

Stay in the know! Sign up for EquiManagement’s FREE weekly newsletters to get the latest equine research, disease alerts, and vet practice updates delivered straight to your inbox.

categories
tags
Trending Articles
Horse with colic lay down and sleep outside
Strangulating Lipomas in Horses
White line disease on horse hoof
White Line Disease in Horses
Tablets Pills Horse
Using the Right Medications to Manage Chronic Pain in Horses
madigan-foal-compression-1-min
Madigan Foal Squeeze Technique
Newsletter
Get the best from EquiManagement delivered straight to your inbox once a week! Topics include horse care, disease alerts, and vet practitioner updates.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Country*

Additional Offers

Untitled
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.