A hygroma is a fluid-filled swelling of the front surface of the knee or carpal joint which is usually caused by an injury, for example if the horse strikes the knee frequently against a hard surface. This may cause a synovial swelling affecting the bursa of the knee joint on its anterior surface and at the same time the tendon sheaths of the associated extensor muscles may be involved as well.

Sometimes we see an additional swelling in the joint region depending on which tissues are involved. Symptoms are : swelling and possibly lameness and pain. In acute cases pain on pressure. In neclected cases we often see fibrous thickening.

Treatment :

The first remedy to consider if there has been an injury of any kind is : Arnica 30c (or 30k), one dose 3-4 times daily for 5-7 days if necessary.

Apis mellifica 6c or 30c (or 6k or 30k) for acute cases showing tenderness and oedema of the joint with synovial effusion. Give one dose every 2 hours for 4-5 doses.

Bryonia 6c (or 6k) if the joint appears firm and tense and lameness is worse by movement (!) and pressure on joint relieves pain. Give one dose 3 times daily for 4-5 days. However, if the lameness is improved by movement give Rhus toxicodendron 30c (or 30k) and dose as for Bryonia.

to be continued

Wim

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(Sorry, Wim no longer works here.)

Continuation Hygroma in horse :

If associated tendon sheaths are involved (also) give Ruta graveolens 30c (30k), one dose twice daily (morning + night) for 4-6 days.

Silicea/Silica 200c (or 200k), one daily dose for 2 weeks should be given if fibrous tissue develops in neglected cases.

Calcarea fluorica 30c should be given for chronic synovitis with lumpy deposits showing in joint. Give one daily dose for 10-14 days.

Hepar sulphuris 200c (or 200k) is given for hygroma infected with pyogenic (=pus-forming) bacteria. Give one dose twice a day (morning + night) for 7 days.

If the remedies mentioned above (Apis, Arnica, Bryonia, Rhus tox.) don`t act sufficiently and the case has become persistent and chronic, then give Silicea/Silica 30c twice daily for up to 10 days. If the Silicea/Silica 30c acted but insufficiently give Silicea/Silica 200c for up to 10 days.

Wim

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Homeopath for people and animals.
(Sorry, Wim no longer works here.)

Hello Sarah,

Thanks for PM.....I hope you`ll soon be able to post......good luck with the treatment....the Silicea treatment mentioned at the end of my second post should be tried first !

Wim

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Thank you Wim. Here is my original post from the board that lead me here:

Hi, I recently became very interested in homeopathy when all my big vet bills were getting nowhere with my mare. I stumbled onto this forum and I really hope someone can help.
My mare was injured from a fall at the beginning of December. Her left front knee got a bubble of fluid on it. I took her to the vet and we radiographed it. The joint was clean, no arthritis or bone chips. He said the fluid was from the joint. He sent me home with $400 worth of Legend amd Surpass. I followed his regimen and it did not help at all. I followed it for 30 days with no change in the size of the bubble.
I starting researching homeopathic remedies. I put her on Apis to take the excess swelling out. I gave her 4 doses 2 hours apart. It removed the fluid and the bump was flat for two days. Then it came back. There is a small firm bump inside the bubble. I thought maybe it was damage to the tendon sheath. I gave her Ruta 2 times a day for 4 days. The Ruta seems to keep the small bump inside the bubble down but if I let her go more than 12 hours without it, it puffs up again. I thought maybe if I could get that tendon healed, I could make some progress. I have not used the Apis and Ruta at the same time.
I give her the the homeopathic at night and by morning when it is time for another dose the bubble is back - it will usually stay gone during the day time unless she moves around more than usual.
I am new to this so maybe I am going about it all wrong.
The mare is not lame on the leg but she is very stoic and doesn't show pain unless it is very bad. The bubble does not seem to change when the weather changes. It usually feels warm but I do keep an magnetic boot on it.
She has a lot of issues and has had a hard life. I was working on one issue at a time when she sustained this injury. She is excitable, shakes her head when ridden, chews her tongue when she is impatient, and gets very irritated and agressive towards other horses when they get too close. I have only owned her since November and have made a lot of progress with her. Her heels were contracted and she was body sore from an ill fitting saddle. I do believe a lot of her bad habits are pain related and man-made not her original personality. She still does have some soreness on the insides of her stifles. It seems to be in the muscle on the insides of her legs and not the joint itself.
I apologize if this is an overload of information - I know that sometimes the tiniest detail will dictate which remedy you use so I've tried to include as much as I can think of.
Thanks for your time and any input.

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I've been watching this mare and I think she is better with movement and she doesn't really like pressure on it. She isn't really lame on the leg so it is hard to tell. The bubble isn't shiney like it would require Bryonia. It is soft and I can push all the fluid back in the joint with my fingers.

I have ordered the Silicea and it should be here this week. I did another dose of Apis every two hours for four doses and that worked wonders again keeping the bubble gone for about 24 hours and then it was back.

Can I use the Apis along with another remedy, or should I just quit the Apis? That has given me the best results so far. I'm just new to this so I don't know how long I can keep her on a remedy. I have the Homeopathy for Horses book by Macleod and that has been what I have been going by.

I really appreciate your help and am so happy to have found this board. Homeopathy is my new obsession and I am really excited to learn more!

Sarah.....I think you can post properly now....Jon had a look at it just now.....in the Netherlands it`s past midnight now......so time to turn in....please feel free to post any cases here and I`ll see if homeopathy is an option for them. I already noticed you used Macleod`s book, which is a good book but not fully up to date ! Only administer the Silicea and no other remedies (yet). One dose for a horse is 4 tablets or 6 larger pellets/pills/pillules.

Wim

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Homeopath for people and animals.
(Sorry, Wim no longer works here.)

This is a picture from about a week ago. It is a little bit improved since this was taken. I just thought I'd post it for anyone else reading along and learning. This is the right knee of an 11 year old Quarter Horse mare that is used for barrel racing.

I raise and train performance horses in South Dakota, USA. I am just so very interested in homeopathy. I have spent thousands of dollars on medication from big name drug companies over here with no results. I'm ready for something that works!

OK...thanks Sarah.....`I get the picture`....keep us posted on the Silicea case.....Wim

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Sarah....we posted simultaneously....please check the thread if you have read all (my) posts ! Only follow the Silicea protocol mentioned above !

Wim

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Homeopath for people and animals.
(Sorry, Wim no longer works here.)

Thanks Wim. My Silicea should be here on Wednesday. I had ordered the 30c last week. I'll try that first like you said. I'll keep you updated because I'm sure I'm going to need more help! Thanks so much for your time!

OK Sarah....my pleasure....to be sure, please order both the Silicea 30c and the Silicea 200c.....but I reckon you have already done so ! (Silicea and Silica are the same)

Wim

__________________
Homeopath for people and animals.
(Sorry, Wim no longer works here.)