Stifle injury

[JMG-4523]

Hi,

Does anyone know anything about stifle injuries?

My 3 yr old warmblood came in a couple of weeks ago with a swollen stifle and was hopping lame.

I called the vet and he said it could be one of a number of things, injury or OCD (growth problem as hes only 3).

He said to keep him on box rest for 10 days and if hes showing signs of improvement then its likely to be an injury (really hoping it is) and keep him in for another 10 days. I am 2 weeks into this regime and he has improved and I would say he is now only 3/10ths lame, however, his stifle is still really swollen.

Does anyone know how long it takes for a stifle injury to improve / get better?
Also, how long it takes for the swelling o go down?

He is also going mad being cooped up so was wondering what peoples views are on turning him out after the three weeks box rest? some people I have spoken to say he needs to be turned out to help with stiffness and allow the injury to strengthen etc.

Any views would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

you need a diagnosis-OCD is different to doing a ligament etc.

 

[starbar]

Oh gosh. Be careful with this.

My boy had a bad medial patella ligament injury. Cue 5 months box rest. He was a lot better so I turned him out in a tiny turn out paddock in summer to try and get him moving. A week later he came in hopping lame and had done the same thing again. Goodness knows how. It obviously wasn't as healed as it appeared.

That was in August, he has been on box rest since then, in November we started walking out in hand. In Spring he will be walked out twice a day, then eventually we will try turnout again. Approximately 18 months after the injury.

Stifles are hugely complex joints and take a long long time to heal if it really is a ligament/tendon injury.

Not the news you want to hear I know. My boy when he first did it had a swollen stifle and could just about put his foot down. I would say he is now 2/10 lame in walk.

Get scans and x-rays, its the only way you can find out what is going on. If it is a ligament injury it needs to be immobilised as much as possible, treat it like a break.

Fingers crossed for you that it is muscular and nothing serious!

 

[MotherOfChickens]

ok, sorry -have more time now.

my horse diagnosed with bilateral OCD of stifles at 8yo (due to trauma as a youngster apparently). RH was far worse, non-weight bearing lame on occasion. box rest would get him to OK then he would go extremely lame. steroids, box rest and surgery could do no good (lesions too big). He had IRAP on RH which made a huge difference and in total (during bad winter) he had nearly 5 months box rest (he's good at boxiest) followed by 60mins walking in hand daily, then turnout. He had about 18months off mostly out 24/7 before he looked ok. he's about 1/10 lame in trot on a circle on a bad day and now in light hacking work-could probably do more but I don't want to break him, can't have my heart broken again.

friends highland stallion did a ligament covering a mare. 6 months boxrest, 3 months walking in hand, turnout, riding and went on to show ridden. Now out 24/7 running with mares-retired from riding due to change of owner.

4yo ISH, bilateral OCD-surgery, 3 months box rest, then back in work. last I heard competing BE low level and fine.

stifles are difficult but OCD in youngsters more easily 'fixed' than in older horses-you need a definitive diagnosis from a good horse vet. knowing what I know now I would get a full work up done as soon as vet thinks possible.