Open knees / physitis

[Pav]

Can anyone provide any insight on the distinction (if any) between physitis and open knees. I've seen the terms used interchangeably. My just-turned yearling is big-boned and looks to have large knees with slight bumps/ridges across them. There is no heat in them, and he does not seem to be sore. I'm not sure whether to attribute this to physitis or open knees simply due to his young age. If it is physitis, what can be done and what are the long-term implications?

Thx,
Pav

[ratherrapid]

pav, just from memory, the ephysis can become too active due to a number of things including overfeeding. believe it's a carbohydrate thing. every young horse I've had has bumpy knees until they close, but if the bumps appear enlarged or uneven, it's a concern. I know too little as to what the concern is though I might expect knee conformation problems from a swollen ephysial plate were to continue (ie, e.g. you back off the feed some and it tends to settle.), and possible chips if such a horse were excercised. good question though! maybe someone that knows what they're talking about will give us the scoop!

[Mood Swings]

I have a huge filly that had physitis last year. Best things to remedy physitis are limited turn out, a joint supplement (MSM is inexepensive and effective) and restricted diet (something low in carbs but one that will meet the daily requirments of a young growing horse). If you are unsure whether or not you are dealing with physits you could have your vet look at your yearling or you could follow the above protocol as it will do no harm My huge filly is much improved! Good luck.

BTW long term effects can be compromising. A young horse with physitis can do permanent and irreparable damage to his/ her growth plates by running around and being a horse if it is a bad case.

[ratherrapid]

anti-inflammatories would seem an idea. logically. fishoil, tumeric, glucasomine, aspirin powder mix possibly, along with the other suggestions to speed the healing process? and, here's my edit: unknown whether you want to stop ephiseal inflamation totally. would you stunt the growth?