Any happy ending Stifle injury/ Arthritis stories ?

[Spangles]

I know stifles are notoriously difficult to treat but are there any happy endings or is it ultimately retirement/ happy hacking ?

11yo Horse has been on regularly Cartrophen cycle of injections for just over a year now and has felt great these past few months after a very long, slow & careful approach to building up to sensible schooling with no small circles etc

However, last week we had a definite ‘not right’ moment one one rein.

Not had any x-rays/ scans but probably heading that way now to determine hopefully if arthritis or done sort of soft tissue injury.

Does a water treadmill help with Stifle issues ?

 

[Britestar]

Jan 2020 horse had sudden lameness after a jump.
Identified as a soft tissue injury.

Rested, then physio and brought back into work slowly.

Sound until about August when became lame again.

Sent to vet school for work up, where they found a meniscal tear and suggested surgery. In surgery told they found grade 4 tear and it went further then they could see. Mended as best they could, and tidied up rest of the joint.

Given 6-10% chance of return to work. Followed the rehab to the letter, and was given indiba treatment.

At 6 months post op, just before reintroduction to herd, went lame again, but after 2 weeks was sound again.

Continued to get indiba and in July '21, physio suggested getting in him again as looking so good.

Walked for at least 6 months, and then gradually added trot in.

By mid 2022 was back competing and has continued to work and go totally back to normal.

 

[dreamcometrue]

Yes my pony has become 100% sound after a tear in the medial meniscus of her right stifle. She had 2 years of field rest and was regularly checked for soundness. No pain relief or other medication. At the start she was sometimes very lame as she would join in the field shenanigans but eventually she learned whet she could cope with as my vet said she needs to move and learn how to avoid the pain and restrict her own movement to what is comfortable.

After 18 months she became sound in trot. On my vet’s advice I started to lead her round the school or on short walks then eventually to do short hacks with her increasing to maybe 3 times a week in walk. Eventually increased to around 2 miles last Autumn. Sometimes I asked for trot but she didn’t want to. She even let other horses trot off away from her and canter off without wanting to join in. She’d just steadily walk after them and that is not like her!

Last Christmas she decided she wanted to trot and canter without me asking as the other horses were and we are now doing bits of trot and canter out alone. She feels strong and raring to go. I thank my lucky stars and my lovely sensible vet.

 

[Spangles]

Thank you, may I ask how old your horses were please.

 

[Britestar]

Ours was 10yrs old

 

[Fransurrey]

Arthritis is a progressive disease, so no cures, there, just respite. Soft tissue less clear, but they always have a weak point at the site of the tear/strain.

I don't think I've come across a horse on any sort of injections without X-rays, though. Is that normal with some vets? Surely you need a baseline at the start of treatment and to monitor disease progression?

 

[dreamcometrue]

Thank you, may I ask how old your horses were please.

Mine was 16 when she became injured. Currently rising 19 yo.

 

[Jellymoon]

Yes, a friend bought an 10 yr old intermediate eventer as a school mistress for her daughter, with a known stifle injury for a vastly reduced price and with rest followed by careful management they had many happy yrs of eventing at 100 with the odd Novice, and mare has now gone on to another similar home, still loving life at the lower levels.
I think a lot of it is careful management and knowing when to back off and rest, and many horses with arthritis or previous injuries can cope better with work in straight lines more than circles…so it’s about doing just enough to keep them supple without overdoing it.