Old stifle injury.

[pistolpete]

Pony is still lame. Xrayed today and bony fragments seem. Vet very pessimistic about full useful recovery. One of the fragments was 2cms. Fourteen year old. Never been lame on this leg in the five years I’ve had him. Second opinion? My vet said not surgical due to arthritic changes already taken place. He had a small steroid injection into joint. Pony very unhappy about it. Took three goes. :-( Got a lorry load of bute off the vet too. Sad times.

 

[pistolpete]

What’s worked for others in this situation? Any advice on stifle management. What’s best for the pony? I’m so confused.

 

[alibali]

Ouchy! Sorry you've had bad news.

What did the vet suggest is the best option? What was the prognosis for a recovery to field soundness? How lame is pony at the moment and how long would recovery take? Is rehab going to involve a long period of box rest and if so how much will that impact on pony's quality of life? Are you prepared to retire to field/do box rest? Will pony be happy just mooching about or is it one who needs a job? You need answers to all the above before you can decide what's best for you both. Some you can answer yourself, others the vet should answer for you.

Take a little time to process it all, sounds like it was a shock diagnosis. Virtual hugs.

 

[pistolpete]

Thank you for your reply. He’s not terribly lame. He’s a chronic fatty Highland! So work is quite important to him so he can have a decent amount to eat. Torn between laborious rehab which may not work and allowing him to get fatter until it’s an issue then giving up. Yes it’s a shock. He’s on a pen attached to a stable so not too restricted. Vet says gentle turn out can start once in five days time. Thank goodness I made myself a little yard out of mud mats.

 

[alibali]

Only you can make the decision as only you know him and his pain level and know your facilities/capacity/willingness to keep him happy and comfortable. At least it sounds like you don't need to rush into anything. Sometimes that's harder though, when things aren't black and white.

 

[pistolpete]

Yes totally. In chartered water for sure!

 

[pistolpete]

Un. Silly phone!

 

[Birker2020]

Sorry its not a better prognosis for you. Some people seem to have all the hard luck. At least I've had a few years out of mine and a lot of mileage although constantly going wrong along the road!

 

[pistolpete]

Thank you. It seems that way.

 

[pistolpete]

Poor pony still 2/5 lame in a circle maybe 1/10 in a straight line. Using Danilon as and when but thinking he is better on it all the time lameness wise. Colic prime though so trying to eek it out. I guess I want to ask how you know when it’s no longer fair. He’s not in agony but definitely not sound. Let him have a summer? He chooses to go for a canter now and again but mainly just mooches about.

 

[Tash88]

Hi - I'm sorry to hear this. What has your vet advised? I'm presuming the steroid injection didn't benefit him? Is he on any joint supplements, I mean the 'stronger' ones like Devils Claw?

I don't feel able to help you make any sort of decision as I haven't been in that position myself, but didn't want to read and run.

 

[pistolpete]

Thank you Tash88. Steroids did nothing. Will try devils claw etc if insurance not paying for bute. Boswelia didn’t seem to do much.

 

[HobleytheTB]

Has the lameness been nerve blocked to the stifle? Could be worth checking hocks as well in case there's any ocd/ arthritis present there...

 

[pistolpete]

No couldn’t nerve block him he’s too difficult. No evidence of hock lameness he never drags a toe. If his hocks are bad too he’s had it!