If the horse owner puts off getting a proper veterinary diagnosis and tries to treat the horse himself for two or three months with old-fashioned liniments and bandages for a horse with chips in the joint, the owner is going to reduce the chance of a successful repair of that knee. Untreated, the injury can become worse and develop into a severe arthritic condition. To diagnose a popped knee, the veterinarian combines a physical exam, radiographs, and ultrasound to determine which of the structures are involved. X rays and ultrasound more clearly identify the structures involved. The response to local anesthetics placed into the joint also is important in arriving at a definitive diagnosis.
Treatment depends on the cause.
Bone chips usually create inflammation in the joints, and sometimes inflammation of the tendon sheath. Bone chips usually are treated by removing them arthroscopically. This type of surgery often can be done in less than an hour with the horse under general anesthesia. Barring complications, the horse usually can return to work in 60 to 90 days. For direct trauma to the soft tissues in the tendon sheath, veterinarians usually administer anti-inflammatory medications such as Bute or banamine, ice the injury, bandage or sweat the leg, and give the horse time off.