Joint Spotlight: The Coffin

Case History:

Grey is a 10 year old Quarter horse who competes as a high level team roping horse that has had a persistent forelimb lameness for over a year.
The owner, Dr. Don Lee of Double X Equine, who happens to be a sports medicine veterinarian, has been managing the case since he acquired the horse in January of 2025. Dr. Lee is a number 5 team roper and uses Grey regularly at weekend events.

Presentation:

Grey was initially an AAEP grade 2/5 on the Left Front (LF) in January 2025 and progressively worsened to a grade 2.5/5 by March 2025. He was sore while trotting in circles to the left baseline and with flexion of the distal limb.
He initially blocked 80% to a palmar digital nerve block (PDN) on the LF, but blocked fully 100% to an abaxial nerve block in March 2025.

Diagnosis:

X-rays taken of Grey in the spring of 2025 showed some mild osseous proliferation in both the dorsal coffin joint and pastern joint and some changes to the proximal articular border of the navicular bone.
Based on the blocking pattern and X-rays, Grey was diagnosed with osteoarthritis and synovitis of the LF coffin joint and pastern joint with mild navicular changes.

Treatment:

In April 2025, Grey was injected with 1mL of Arthramid® in the LF coffin joint and 1mL of Arthramid® in the LF pastern joint.

Outcome:

Grey is sound and doing well at the 5 month mark with his Arthramid® injections and continues to compete as a high level team roping horse.

Case courtesy of: 

Dr. Don Lee, DVM 
Double X Veterinary Services
Sunset, TX