A carpal hygroma is a subcutaneous swelling over the dorsal aspect of the carpus resulting from trauma. The swelling is usually aseptic; however, infection can develop if skin abrasion also occurred during trauma, or after drainage or injection are performed.
Typically, a hygroma is a cosmetic blemish, and lameness is not usually present. Diagnosis is based on palpation and visualization. Injection of contrast material into the hygroma and subsequent radiographic examination outlines the extent of the hygroma and can determine the presence of communication with the carpal joints.
Carpal hygromas in horses can be treated in early stages with drainage, steroid injections, and bandaging. When infection is present, surgical resection of the infected tissue is recommended.
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