Synovitis is an inflammation of the delicate synovial membranes that surround, protect and nourish joints that are particularly subject to stress in the horses’ legs. Once initiated, synovitis usually progresses into a chronic and debilitating condition.
Anatomy of a joint
There are twenty bones in each limb of your horse’s legs. Each of these bones are connected or aligned with one or more other bones at a joint, giving your horse’s legs the ability to lift, bend or flex. The location where one or more bones meet is the joint. Of the three types of joints in the horse’s legs (fibrous, cartilaginous and synovial), the synovial joints are the ones that bear the most stress and require the most flexibility.
In order to do this, synovial joints are designed to work like ‘ball bearings’. Within the inner part of the joint capsule is the synovial membrane which secretes a lubricating fluid that allows a healthy joint to have frictionless movement. In addition to being a lubricant, synovial fluid also supplies nutrients and removes waste.
Both injury and disease can initiate synovitis:
Repeated concussive trauma (wear and tear) is the type of injury most likely to cause the synovial membrane to become inflamed. The front legs are especially vulnerable to stress related injury as they carry 60-65% of the horse’s weight and so receive the greater portion of concussive force during strenuous activities such as racing and jumping. The synovial joints most subject to synovitis are the knee [carpus] and fetlock.
Misalignment of joints due to conformational problems or poorly trimmed hooves increase the risk of joint injury.
The disease process that can initiate synovitis is called an autoimmune disease. This disease causes a runaway inflammatory response that may affect the synovial membrane resulting in synovitis.
Progression to a chronic condition
As synovitis progresses the inflammation of the synovial membrane in the joint capsule causes the tissue to become swollen and painful. Once the synovial membrane becomes inflamed, there is a loss of key fluid elements, such as hyaluronic acid, that are primarily responsible for the lubricating quality of the synovial fluid. This loss of fluid decreases blood circulation to the joint which then deprives the area of essential nutrients, contributing to the degenerative process that follows. Granulation tissue forms leading to the development of fibrous connective tissue and a clearly observable mass. The mass then causes an irritation of the bony tissues resulting in erosion of the bone.
Our Synovitis Solution reduces inflammation in the synovial joint while directing blood to the effected area. This increased circulation along with the reduction of inflammation, restores the synovial fluid so the joint can once again be lubricated and nourished. In addition to the restorative properties of these herbs, herbal ‘groups’ are included to absorb the fibrous tissue, reducing any mass that may have formed, and recover bone loss.
Expectations:
The treatment of synovitis should be considered long term unless the joint inflammation is treated in the early stages, before any fibrous tissue development. If the synovial joint is treated in the beginning phase, the Synovitis Solution will be quite sufficient for recovery within 3 to 6 months. If the joint damage has progressed to the point of a visible mass, it will take much longer on the Synovitis Solution for the mass to dissolve and the bones to regenerate. For complete recovery from chronic synovitis, follow through with the Arthritis Solution to treat the osteoarthritic component of this serious joint damage.
This solution is Not Safe for pregnant mares
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