Cartilage Damage in horses stifle area

Question
My vet was out about 2 weeks ago. My horse was laimed up. He said his stifle was inflamed.  He gave him a shot of steroids and had him on bute.  He was doing a bit better than became more gimpy.  Had a different vet come out tonight he took X-rays, to which I am now going to have to haul my horse to his place to get better ones. But, from, X-rays he is seeing Joint Fusion- alot of fluid in the joint in stifle.  Also, a couple of lesions and cartilage damage on the inside.  Going out tomorrow night to view X-rays and talk more about situation, and set up a time to get my horse over there for more X-rays, better ones.  He mentioned surgery a possibility to release fluid and clean joint up.  My horse is 5. Doc said he could have been born with this and now having a flare- being hereditary.  Or, he had a bad fall, or stumbled?  Can you discuss the long term affects with my horse. I just trail ride.  Is he going to be sound again? Or, will he constantly have set backs like this?  Please provide me with more info on cartilage damage.

Thank you for your time

Brandy

Answer
Brandy,

Your horse is only 5.  Remember that.  He's still a youngster, he has 3 more years to grow.  He's having growing pains, similar to the ones human kids have in their knees.  He'll probably have some problems off and on for a couple more years.  One horse I worked on was getting I think it was estrogen/progesterone shots (it was a gelding) because his stifles were so very sore.  When he's hurting the best you can do is just give him some time off.  Not stall bound just turned out, no work.  When you do work him  no sharp turns, sudden stops and no jumping but trail riding otherwise should be OK just don't overdo it.  

Whatever you do don't let the vet stampede you into surgery.  Given time he'll mature and this should resolve itself.  It's not uncommon in young horses.  I would put him on a joint supplement to help with the cartilage repair and he would probably appreciate some massage work on his stifle area with a little essential oil liniment you can make up yourself.  You don't need to rub it in for a long time.  Go to the health food store and buy a bottle of carrier oil, either almond or jojoba and per ounce add the following:

10 drops birch essential oil (bones, discomfort of arthritis pain)
10 drops basil essential oil (anti-inflammatory)
10 drops peppermint essential oil. (apmlifies and complements the other oils)

I would rub some of this on him once a day every day, whether he's hurting or not and just keep it up until the bottle is gone.  Then mix up another bottle and drop the application to every other day.  After that go to a couple of times a week unless he has a flare up.  I think this will keep those at a minimum though.  This is long-term therapy for his stifle problems.  Not terribly expensive because the oils will go a long way so you won't have to buy them every time.  A bottle runs around $10 and the carrier oil, depending upon which one you use, about $8-$10.  A lot cheaper than surgery!  

Main thing he's going to need is time to finish growing.  Have some patience and he'll be sound and fine once he's past this stage.

Lyn