Advice on Stifle problems

lochpearl

lochpearl

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My horse has been pretty poorly recently with issues with his back, neck and feet.

I took him away from one vets as they couldn't look into the fact that he was blatently (sp) lame. He has since gone to another vets and been found to be lame in all 4 legs but worse behind, nerve blocks showed that it was his stifles behind.

He has had scans and they couldn't see anything but they tried giving him cortisone injections. These worked for a couple of days then deteriorated. The vets are now saying that they want to look into the Stifles (i cannot remember what they called it), they would put him under GA and scope into the stifles to see what is what.

My question is, has anyone had anything like this done before, what is it likely to be and also the re-hab as he will have this done in both back legs.

I will be speaking in depth with the vets but would really welcome any advice on here.

Thanks, cookies and hot chocolate for you xx
 
It sounds like an athroscopy the vets are wanting to do. My boy tore ligaments and meniscus in his off side stifle. In view of my boys age and anaesthetic risks declined surgery as vets couldnt guarantee success. Bear in mind it could be a diagnostic procedure and may not necessarily cure him.

Arthoscopy will involve putting a small camera into the horses joint whilst under general anaesthesia. There will be risks with anaesthetic and joint infection. (guess horses are the same as humans - Im an orthopedic nurse)
 
In July, my boy was lame on one hind, which turned out to be a tear in the cartilage and some damage to the meniscus. He was xrayed and nerve blocked before being referred. He had a GA and arthroscopy during which they tidied up the cartilage tear. He was discharged wth 10 days worth of bute and a recommendation to speak to my own vet about Adequan. After discussion with my own (brilliant) vet we went for Cartrophen instead, he was on box rest for a month, and is still now on "pen" turnout. He is currently (fingers crossed that he stays that way) sound. His ridden work has been gradually built up and he is now on 20 min ridden work and I have just started trot work. He had one steroid injection (vet tells me she didn't put much in) in Setember and is on Cosequin. Go for it, itis worth a try and I can't praise Cosequin highly enough!
 
My boy is booked in for the same as what your vet is recommending for next Wednesday.
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I decided not to go for the injections after reading peoples advice and experiences on here.

They are doing an arthroscope (sp) on both stifles as he has very slight changes on his xrays and scans. They will see what they find when they get in there and deal with it there and then. Either tidying up tears or smoothing cartlidge etc depending what they find.

I will be updating how he goes on when he has had the op. The vet currently thinks its the early stages of OCD in his stifles but he says this could completely change when they actually get into the joint. With OCD the sooner the treatment the better the outcome.

The rehab depends on what they find when they are in their so my vet could only advise on possible rehab for possible diagnosis. Sorry can't be of more help until next week when he has had it done.

Good luck with whatever you decide. x
 
Gosh, thanks for all of your help, all of you. Sorry I have not seen these replies before now but been in bed with flu!! My boyis booked in next Wed but I think they will do the last minute tests on Wed and do the procedure on Thurs.

We are going ahead so will keep you updated and carmandflin good luck and hope all goes well with your boy xx
 
I know, i'm terrified. He has had so much treatment in the past 5 months and as soon as something gets better, something else rears it's ugly head. Just hope that they don't find anything too bad, but they are going into both stifles, my vet told me last night that he is worse now than when they first saw treated him 4 weeks ago with cortisone!!

good luck and let me know how you get on xx
 
gosh - I bet you are so worried!!!

mine is going in on Wed where they are doing the final nerve blocks and then the operation on Thurs so please do let me know how you get on.

GOOD LUCK xxxx
 
He went in last night, settled to his hay net straight away! Can visit tonight between 4 and 5 so going to see him. From 8pm he will be nil by mouth.... he will be so cross by the morning!!

He is the only one on the list tomorrow and will be going down for the op first thing. Will be sat waiting for the phone to ring all day!!

Will let you know how we get on.

Good luck for Wed and Thurs.xx
 
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