2 months rest now we believe I'm tackling with OCD or a fracture

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titchymoo

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So My young man has had issues with his stifle for a couple of months now. The horrid symptoms of a very partially swollen knee joint (stifle) and stiffness, which has now, after doing a houdini from his field 4 days ago developed into a slight lameness.

He's down in himself and very quiet. At first we box rested and turned out in a tiny paddock just to give the illusion that he was still in a normal routine. He had physio on his back and went sound after a couple on months. Swelling down.

However his hooly after escaping from his field has brought all the symptoms back but worse. I changed Vets as I felt my original vet was taking his injury serious enough ( we all now our own horse the best) He isn't right at all. Current vet has been brilliant and no messing about we've started to investigate.

He believes it could be either OCD, a fracture or ligament. But has a feeling OCD may be the cause sue to his age (2 years 9 months), breeding sport horse and height, he's a big guy at 16.1hh already. I knew that I was dicing with OCD when buying a horse of his type but i suppose this is the risk we take. Not stereotyping but vet agreed that big sport types do generally suffer from it more than others.

I'm genuinly guttered at he has the potential to be a super horse, and will make a fab colored too. He's gorgeous and such a friendly, cheeky chap. However I'm prepared for bad news. Xrays have been taking I'm just waiting for my vet to take a good look at them and give me a call tomorrow.

Just wondering if anyone has had any expierences with OCD or fracture involving stifle. How long it took to recover and how you all went about it. Also what level of work you horses ponies have returned too?

I'l keep him regardless and sort something for myself to compete in a couple of years if push comes to shuv. But I hope lots that I can get him out there too as he has so much potential
:(
 
Any news?

I had a filly with OCD diagnosed at 9 months old... gutted. The worst case seen by my vet in years. She had surgery which was a success although my vet advised that because her case was so bad, she wouldn't be able to be ridden to the level I wanted her to. fortunately her breeder agreed to take her back. 3 years on she is aparently field sound and they are considering backing her and seeing how she goes.

I think in my experience with OCD, A LOT of patience is involved in the recovery.... good luck!
 
he's still young, generally they have a better prognosis than when it presents later in life. Mine was diagnosed with stifle OCD at 8yo, vets think it due to a trauma he (may) have had as a youngster (have hd him since rising 4). At first they thought meniscal tear due to how he was presenting i.e. sound, then 3-legged lame. He had joint medicated (steroid) which did nothing, when they then subsequently operated they couldn't do much as the lesion was too big. He them had IRAP and extensive in-hand walking work. 12months on from the IRAP he is 1/10th lame on that hind-best he's been so far. in the spring I will have a concentrated effort in bringing him back into work-have been warned he'll only be a light hack though.

I know of another who had bilateral stifle OCD as a rising 4yo, was operated on and is now eventing at age 8. every case is very individual.

sometimes you just don't get a clear picture via scan and x-ray, they have to go in with arthroscope to see exactly what's going on. A friend had stallion that did a stifle ligament, it took 6 months boxiest, extensive walking work before he came right-but he did, won ridden champs and went back to covering again.
 
Hi i had x rays done and they came out prop this time! had a good look and whatever it is its only small. so fingers crossed its a small lesion and this is all. His Xrays have been sent off to another vet for a second opinion and will be hearing from them this week hopefully :rolleyes:
 
Hi titchymoo

I have experience of a fractured elbow so not exactly the same as what you are asking.

My boy got kicked in the field on the 1st October last year, he went off to Newmarket Equine Hospital and had a rather long operation. A plate and 14 screws later he emerged. He stayed at the hospital for a month then returned home and was on complete box rest for another 6 weeks, after that I was walking him out for 5 minutes in hand AM and PM and increasing this by 5 minutes each week until we were up to 30 minutes walking AM and PM.

He was then x rayed and all was going well so for the next month I rode him in walk for 30 minutes AM and PM whilst still on box rest.

This weekend he was allowed to be turned out in a restricted area - he was such a happy boy.

It has been very emotional at times and very expensive (although insurance did pay for some of it) but there was never any doubt in my mind that whilst there was a chance of getting him through it he would have that chance.
 
My previous horse was diagnosed with OCD in his hock at a year old. He was kept in 24/7 and only went out in a school for 20 mins a day before I got him at 8 months old. I had him out 24/7 so the grass which he'd never had caused a growth spurt that his bones couldn't keep up with. He had keyhole surgery by Sue Dyson, and if I remember correctly (16 - 17 yrs ago) she took about 4 shards /chips of bone out. Healing time wasn't really relevant as he was only a yearling. He never had a problem with it but if I went to a new instructor they would comment on his hock to start with, I guess it moved slightly differently ? I always had him on cortaflex / chrondroitin and would spend a bit longer warming up in walk. He did everything I asked until he got navicular and was retired. The only downside is that whenever I lunge still to this day, I spend all my time looking at the hocks and not the rest of the horse. :o
 
yeh its the rest period I'm not looking forward too at all! its going to be a nightmare with his age even though he's been quite good considering. He's now turned back out in a small paddock whilst wait for second opinion on xrays to come back. He's not severely lame but i can see what you mean about a different movement, my boys hind leg crosses under his tummy. were not sure what's caused his but i suppose he wasn't used to alot of grazing either until i brought him home. this is new to me but could be the reason behind it! I've only owned him 9 months its sad. :( hopefully all will be well though and he's fixable. thanks for replies pepes :rolleyes:
 
Fingers crossed, X-rays sound bit more positive. It was totally new to me to but he went on to event, hunt, did the 3de at Mk twice and placed both times so don't be to despondent, easier said than done though.
 
I no everyones gave me quite positive feedback about it. I think he should be ok there was only a tiny tiny area of worry in his xrays.
Just waiting for sec opinion then go forward from there. he's not lame really just crosses under with one of his back legs. soooo fingers crossed he'll feel lots better after op or whatever treatment is proposed and he'll go onto event too!

:D
 
Hi i don't at the moment nooooo. do you have yours though? I'm still waiting for second vet to get back in touch I've got 2 separate opinions on them. I'm going to ring tomorrow so may no more then!
 
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