Experience with stiffle injury

fee26

fee26

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Hi guys ok im wondering if anyone has had the same as me and advice.
3 weeks ago (Saturday) I went down the stables to find my Irish Cob lame. The night before I witnessed he and our new mini mare playing and bouncing around. This was nice to watch but the ground was hard after the cold spell we had which made the rutts in the ground sharp.
So I left him for a few days to see if he could heal by his self. 4 days after on the Wednesday I noticed no improvement so called the vet out. The vet did all usual tests and after asking him to turn and walk up and down our path which is flat, the vet suspected it was his stiffle. So as asked I tried to trot him and he nearly fell so the vet was convinced and also after me telling her what I just witnessed. So the vet said complete rest for 3 weeks with bute and re access. So I tried to keep him in (his been kept out for 3 years with no rug) and after alot of modifications to keep him in he still managed to try and get out. So vet said make a small flat space in our 3 acre paddock so he carnt gallop around.

Tonight after nearly 3 weeks of first sight of injury I decided to get him out and see how his doing. He seems great in walk with no apparent lameness and will turn fine and no swelling or pain when pushed and poked around the stiffle area. Then he tried to trot when walking towards yard and immediately I stopped him as he couldnt do it.

Ive phoned the vet and they said give him another week and they will come back out as his progressing and not getting worse.

Has anyone else had this problem and am I doing all that I should be.

The vet agreed because he is trying his very best to get out of the stable he will course more damaged hence why his out.

Thanks in advance guys its heart breaking as his my baby and has never been sick or sorry
 
As you don't have a definitive diagnosis you are probably best leaving him out in a restricted area and continuing as you are, he seems to be getting progressively better if it is ligament damage, or even muscular, it can take some time to resolve.
I would expect the vet to scan the area next time he comes out so you can have a better idea of what is really going on, stifles are tricky to deal with and any weakness may take a long time to strengthen up once he comes back into work so making sure it has healed fully before allowing him out properly is important if you want to avoid it happening again.

I am sure he will be fine don't be in any rush with him and if in doubt get further tests done to get a true diagnosis.
 
I'm afraid stifle injuries don't generally have a good prognosis. It helps if your horse is calm and quiet and can cope with the long rest period, and be trusted not to go bombing around everywhere when given more space.

I think your vet is going to need to do a lot more investigative work. X-rays aren't really feasible in that area, so it's either a bone scan or arthroscopy.

Good luck, I hope it turns out well for you.
 
Thank you both very much.

you have both said excatly what ive been thinking ;-) xx

I have all the time in the world to get him better and not push him at all. Ive texted my friend whos husband is a vet and he said he will just take a look tomorrow but has said to give him time as he is progressing.
Forgot to say his only on half a bute once a day. His 14.2hh medium weight irish cob and the vet said this isnt going to do alot for him but just take the edge off so he carnt blast around thinking his ok.
I would be surprised if he did as the space is not massive ;-)

Thanks again both
 
I would push for further diagnostics now so that you know what you are truly dealing with. If there is effusion it will generally improve to some extent purely with rest; however, it is the underlying cause you need to determine and if this is something like a torn meniscus, bone cyst, OCD or similar, you can rest the horse until his dying day and he won't come sound without some type of further intervention.

Injured stifles are a nightmare. X-rays and ultrasound will only give a partial view as it so damned near impossible to image that area. Arthroscopy is probably your best bet but if you're not insured you're probably talking £3-4K.
 
My girl is on the upside of a stifle injury.
Like yours; I found her in the field lame on a circle & unable to weight bare on a turn. We had x-Rays & ultrasounds; found nothing apart from an old bone cyst. We box rested & field rested with bute with no results apart from her being sound on 2 bute a day.
Then in July she went & had a stifle arthroscopy where it was found she has a tear in her maniscus & all the carrtlidge was ruined! Surgery went well & she came home; had 6 months box rest with 3 months solid before walking. Hand walking was dreadful & honestly thought she had ruined it!! We're now hacking for about an hour & can do walk/trot with big circles & we did a dressage test today! We can canter but its abit wild!!

If you need any advice or more info pm me. I had a fab vet who was very determined to find out what was wrong! She won't jump again o don't think but futures bright :)
 
Thank you all so much for your help and advice
Vet came out today and is very impressed with his progress and has said to leave him for another 2 weeks and go from them
Vet thinks his just pulled something because no swelling and no pain or usually signs when poking and proding the area.
He seems very happy and content and vet is confident that he just needs a little longer to rest.
His holding weight on it and turning on it with no problems.
His insured and if its needed he will have what ever treatment but the vet is confident
Thanks all again
 
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