What are Stifle Injuries?
Why is it important for a veterinarian to understand the stifle?
How long does it take for a horse to heal from a stifle injury?
Why do horses have stifles?
What are some examples of developmental disorders in horses?
What is the best way to diagnose a horse's stifle?
What can impact a stifle?
See 4 more
About this website
Do horses recover from a stifle injury?
Kaycee Monnens. In the past, an injury to the stifle joint of a horse may have certainly ended his or her career or usefulness. Now, with the ever-evolving science of veterinary medicine, afflictions to the joint have a much higher chance of being treated or even healed.
What is the best treatment for stifle injuries in horses?
Horses with a mild stifle lameness may respond to rest, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or injections of a corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid to battle inflammation. The vet will discuss a timeframe after the rest period for resuming work with the focus on building conditioning.
How do you strengthen a horse's stifle?
Walking and trotting in straight lines and over ground poles is commonly the first step. Tail pulls to the side can be used to strengthen the tensor facia latae. And cavaletti are eventually incorporated as well. Simple additions to care such as cold hosing and NSAIDS are often used to help progress the rehabilitation.
Can you ride a horse with a sticky stifle?
Horses that regularly display classic locking stifles and don't achieve a normal gait after a few strides may not be safe to ride. To detect the problem in a horse being considered for purchase, ride the horse at all gaits and in circles as well as straight lines.
How do you rehab a stifle?
0:012:12Stifle strengthening exercises - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe stifle the quads is actually to have her take one leg up. And hold it for about 5 seconds butMoreThe stifle the quads is actually to have her take one leg up. And hold it for about 5 seconds but she's not leaning on you right she's just totally loading the other leg no and you hold it for five
How many days off after stifle injections?
Stall rest ONLY for 24 hours after injection. After 24 hours, turnout is permitted. We recommend not exercising/ riding the horse on the day of treatment as well as one day following treatment (i.e. a total of two days).
What causes stifle problems in horses?
Soft-Tissue Injuries Like other ligaments throughout the horse's body, those in the stifle joint—as well as the cartilage-like menisci—are susceptible to strains and tears. These result from trauma, and high-intensity sports like jumping and upper-level dressage can increase that risk.
How do you massage a horse with a stifle?
2:103:15Horse Massage: Releasing Tension in the Hind End using the Masterson ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou just have to barely hold on with your fingertips. And be careful if you're not sure hold themMoreYou just have to barely hold on with your fingertips. And be careful if you're not sure hold them under the ankle or under the bulb of the heel. Like this safer way to do. It not down bud.
Can you XRAY a horses stifle?
In specific diseases, radiography of the stifle provides a diagnosis for the cause of lameness, especially when traumatic or developmental osseous lesions are suspected. Good quality radiographs are necessary to diagnose the obvious and the subtle indications of bone or soft tissue disease of this joint.
Can a horse dislocate a stifle?
It corresponds to the knee joint in humans. Disorders of the stifle include fractures, gonitis, dislocation, and bone cysts.
How do you wrap a stifle?
0:522:20Ice Horse Stifle Wrap - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPull the wrap around the inside of the horse's leg. And then fasten on the outside pull the wrap asMorePull the wrap around the inside of the horse's leg. And then fasten on the outside pull the wrap as tightly as you can to get a secure fit repeat the process on the other.
What does a sticky stifle look like?
Severe cases of sticking stifles are unmistakable: The horse attempts to walk forward but one hind leg remains extended and drags behind. Or the horse has to make a dramatic upward jerk of the limb every few strides to free the joint. There are other, more subtle signs, however.
How often do horses get stifle injections?
Usually, a series of three to four injections are performed every 1-2 weeks. This treatment can work well for horses with mild arthritis and no significant radiographic changes.
How do you massage a horse with a stifle?
2:103:15Horse Massage: Releasing Tension in the Hind End using the Masterson ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou just have to barely hold on with your fingertips. And be careful if you're not sure hold themMoreYou just have to barely hold on with your fingertips. And be careful if you're not sure hold them under the ankle or under the bulb of the heel. Like this safer way to do. It not down bud.
How do you treat sticky stifle in horses?
Conditioning is a first-line treatment for sticky stifles. When the muscles around the stifle joint are stronger, the patella is less likely to become stuck. Long, slow trots up hills that encourage the horse to lift and reach with his hind legs and flex through the stifle are the ideal type of exercise.
Can you XRAY a horses stifle?
In specific diseases, radiography of the stifle provides a diagnosis for the cause of lameness, especially when traumatic or developmental osseous lesions are suspected. Good quality radiographs are necessary to diagnose the obvious and the subtle indications of bone or soft tissue disease of this joint.
New ways to aid healing of horse stifle injuries
Thanks to technological advances, it is now easier than ever to diagnose and treat injuries in this complicated joint of the horse. Horse stifles are something you have been hearing more of lately. In recent years, researchers, joint specialists, and field veterinarians have been paying more attention to the hind limb joint. It is one of … New ways to aid healing of horse stifle injuries ...
Treating Stifle Injuries – The Horse
A panel of three veterinarians addressed the topic of stifle treatment at the Western Performance Horse Forum held in Nampa, Idaho, on Feb. 15-17, 2007.
Dealing with stifle injuries in horses - Horse & Hound
Horses jumping fixed fences at speed are particularly prone to hitting their stifles, which can result in an injury even if the front of the hind limbs has been greased.
What is stem cell therapy?
Stem Cell Therapy. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells in the body. That means they can give rise to many different cell types with different functions. Veterinarians can collect autologous or allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from adult horses and inject them into the patient.
How long does it take for a horse to be lame?
It usually causes acute onset lameness that can resolve within 24 hours unless the horse continues to work hard. Lameness is typically mild to moderate, and veterinarians often detect it in Standardbreds trotting at high speeds.
What is the purpose of the Suspensory Desmitis?
Suspensory ligaments (SL) originate from the back of the fore and hind cannon bones. The SL’s main function is to prevent the fetlock joint from overextending.
How long should a horse be in physical therapy?
Physical therapy should start with 15-minute sessions of knee and fetlock joint flexions within the horse’s range of motion. Your veterinarian should then prescribe a controlled exercise regimen based on the injury’s ultrasonographic appearance. Frequent rechecks and ultrasound exams should dictate each stepwise increase in exercise level.
How long does it take for a horse to heal from a tendon injury?
The mildest tendon injury recovery can take between 9-12 months. Yes, that’s a very long time, but if you want your horse to return to normal after an injury like that, then it is worth waiting. A more severe tendon injury can take a much longer time to heal.
What is PRP in a ligament?
5. PRP – Platelet – Rich Plasma. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a blood product that contains at least twice the platelet count of normal blood. It provides high levels of growth factors for healing.
How to tell if a horse has a ruptured tendon?
If the tendon is ruptured, the horse may even walk with the toe tipped up. Notice very carefully how your horse is walking. If you think something is wrong with your horse, then don’t wait even for a second. The best way to diagnose tendon injury is by calling your veterinarian so he can take a look at it.
What is Fractures of the Stifle?
Fractures of the hind-limb joint, the stifle, can place far more than just the career of a sport or performance horse at risk. Due to the massive size and primary location of the joint, as well as the range of motion it governs, a fractured stifle can have life-threatening consequences for any horse. At the very least, breaks in the stifle are a frequent cause of hind-limb lameness.
What is the cause of lameness in the hind limb?
At the very least, breaks in the stifle are a frequent cause of hind-limb lameness. Found in the hindquarters of the horse, the stifle (also called the tibial-femoral joint) is a complex joint that comprises four bones, the femur, the tibia, the patella and a remnant fibula, two discs of fibrocartilage (the menisci) and 14 ligaments.
What is the purpose of a stifle?
The other primary purpose of the stifle is so that the horse can comfortably bear its weight on one hind limb at a time; the stifle enables the locking of one joint so that the other may relax. Three ligaments hold the patella in position.
How to diagnose a horse's stifle?
Due to its size and location, however, it is not possible to get a true picture of the stifle’s condition without the use of imaging technology. X-ray and ultrasound will enable the best possible diagnosis, though stress fractures are unable to be seen without MRI. Expensive imaging tests, such as MRIs and CTs, will depend upon the capacity of the veterinary facility. Occasionally, local anesthetic is injected into the joints to see if the gait or physical stance of the horse improves.
What to do if a horse has a stifle fracture?
If an injury to the stifle, or any joint, is suspected, contact the horse’s veterinarian immediately. If treated effectively, prognosis ranges from good to guarded. Foals, in particular, recuperate successfully from stifle fractures.
How long does it take for tiludronate to heal?
Tiludronate, a drug that works at the cellular level to slow bone loss, may be given by IV to promote healing within the joint. Two to six months of rest and stall confinement may be recommended, followed by a controlled exercise program with a focus on strengthening the large muscles that support the stifle.
What to do if a horse has a fractured leg?
In other cases, surgery, including implants, screws and plates, may be required to return function to the horse.
What are Stifle Injuries?
The most complex joint in the horse is the stifle joint. The joint includes the kneecap and its ligaments, which give structural stability. Similar to the human knee, the stifle is located on the horse’s hind limbs. Encircling the whole stifle joint is a thin capsule that has a special fluid that assists with shock absorption and lubrication. Ligaments that prevent the joint from bending to far in either direction are present inside and outside of the stifle.
Why is it important for a veterinarian to understand the stifle?
It is important for your veterinarian to get an understanding of which part of the stifle is impacted and what is causing the problem in order for him to recommend the correct treatment.
How long does it take for a horse to heal from a stifle injury?
In cases where the joint capsule is stretched and not ruptured, recovery can happen with 2-3 months of rest and a slow return to activity. When inflammation is present, intra-articular medication may be recommended.
Why do horses have stifles?
When properly working, the stifle allows the horse to be stable as well as smoothly move forward. Should he experience trauma, quick directional changes or deceleration, it will cause pressure that can lead to stifle injury. Due to the somewhat open construction of the stifle, as well as its size, swelling will often develop. Serious stifle injuries are often made more complicated due to fractures.
What are some examples of developmental disorders in horses?
As the horse gets older and begins training, you will see swelling of the stifle and ongoing, low level lameness. Often the lameness and swelling will be very obvious with continuous exercise, and then decrease when activity is reduced. Examples of developmental disorders include osteochondritis dissecans, subchondral bone cysts and patellar luxation.
What is the best way to diagnose a horse's stifle?
After conducting a physical examination of your horse, your veterinarian will use a variety of methods, to include digital x-rays, ultrasound and curvilinear ultrasound probes in examining the stifle joint and making a diagnosis. These tools will help your veterinarian get images of the different parts of the joint. Exploratory arthroscopic surgery may be useful when trying to determine the cause of the problem. Intra-articular anesthesia of the stifle is often key in diagnosing the problem and is used to localize the lameness.
What can impact a stifle?
Trauma along with different diseases can impact the stifle. Often, stifle diseases are divided into two types: