Mild catching patella in the stifle?

[Aeia]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience of a horse where rather than locking the patella just catches. My horse has never been quite right behind and a couple of years ago he was 1/10th lame on his right hind. Lameness exam suggested it may be stifle but X rays and ultrasound of stifle and hock showed nothing.

I could go into all the "symptoms" but would rather here what others have to say or I'd be writing an essay

He's currently on a bute trial as I got my vet to have another look when he had his vaccinations done and he agreed he's "not right" but as its something upper hind another lameness workup would probably be inconclusive. After 4 days of bute there's no change yet, but still early days.

My feeling is its mechanical and down to his conformation as he's quite straight through his stifle. All I will say is he doesn't lock with his leg out behind. My thoughts are it could be a milder catch.

Andrea

 

[Tonks]

I think what you're describing is an "Upward fixation of the patella".

It's a condition that can be either severe where the hind leg may stay 'locked' in extension where the horse can't move it without help from you, or it can be mild where there is only a "catching" of the patella. When it's mild, I think there may or may not be lameness that is mild, as you described.

However, in my experience an upward fixation of the patella is pretty 'easy' to spot in it's various degrees so I would expect your vet to know whether it was or wasn't!

To be honest, I would be quite frustrated if my vet told me 'that he's not quite right' as I would expect a discussion about possible causes.

You don't mention how old, what breed, what work, etc, which may also provide a clue.

Bute is an anti-inflammatory, pain relief and anti fever drug so if it's not having any effect then you could rule out he's suffering from pain or inflammation OR the dosage may be wrong and it may need to be increased - but that's up to your vet.

By the way, if he does have an upward fixation, Bute won't really help as he has a mechanical problem.

Good luck.

 

[niamh]

Catching is usually seen in young horses, thin horses and horses with weak quadriceps. It's also due to genetic conformation defects
Building up the quads (by working uphill), making your horse fatter, or letting him grow up if he is young can help/cure the condition, if it's mild. Bute won't help as it's mechanical and not painful.
If it stays that way, you can get the offending ligament snipped. It's a quick, easy operation requiring only local anaesthesia and with only a couple of weeks rest after needed. From what you say your current vet mightn't be the one to do it though