Chondromalacia

[Smk1980]

Good afternoon, I’ve a query, my 5 year old warmblood has just been diagnosed, through arthroscopy with chondromalacia of both stifles, right worst than left.
The vet doing the work up is confident it is mild enough that she will manage to the level at which I want to compete (BE80/90). I know Google is a dangerous place but everything I read seems so damning and I’ve had so many problems I feel I’m not overly confident with it.

I know we’ve a huge rehab journey ahead of us but I was wondering what other people’s experiences are with this? Many thanks in advance.

 

[live2ride]

My vet thinks my 11yo gelding has chrondomalacia, on top of lots of other issues in his back legs (hocks born dodgy, suspensors look weird and sore SI).. (thinks because I was't willing to have the surgery just for the diagnosis). Treated him with arti-cell stem cells back in September, which brought him sound. And at his soundness last check in May was still sound.

We do now only hack though. No lunging, though do walking over poles on the lunge, and my vet suggested I don't school him anymore as it would hasten the end of his ridden career but he could if I was careful. However, he is still sound walk/trot/canter, and we do on average 50km+ a week, ridden 5-6 days a week.

There is a good fb group https://www.facebook.com/groups/2012897405447201 , with lots of different experiences on stifle lameness/issues.

 

[Starzaan]

I have rehabbed many, and the top things I’ve found that help are -

- lots of swimming to build strength without weight bearing.
- no lunging, only long reining in straight lines
- minimal schooling and jumping. You still can, but just maybe once a week rather than three or four times
- be PARANOID about surface. Too hard or soft, no go, school surface too deep or too claggy, no go.
- Indiba is incredibly helpful
- Arti-stem cell treatment is the most effective.
Good luck! This isn’t the end of the road it’s just that the road might look a bit different now.

 

[milliepops]

one of mine has this in one stifle, alongside some other issues from a field injury. I was given a rather guarded prognosis as far as work is concerned but then she was working GP at that point and we do have the complication of the ligaments being damaged. Vets indicated a return to "some work" was likely, which was a bit of a disaster for us because "some work" is not the sort of thing that she was any good at, it's all or nothing with her!
if your vet has been more positive OP then i would be guided by them and not Dr Google as they are the ones with the horse's images etc in front of them. they won't generally suggest a good outcome if there is a heap of doubt.

I have chosen not to medicate mine and have put out to grass for a bit. She looks brilliant zooming around the field tbh. I will maybe try bringing her back into work in a couple of years and see what she can do.

 

[Smk1980]

All, I’m so sorry, I’m terrible for posting stuff and then forgetting to check for replies! Thank you all for your input. Really helpful and great to hear from those with experience.

I’m off to look for swimming pools in Scotland (think it might be slim pickings!!) and Indiba as never heard of that before.
Many thanks again, really appreciated.