Upward Fixation of Patella (locking stifle) on 14 year old jumping pony

[juliewilliams987]

Hello, I would be grateful on some advice please:

My daughters Jumping pony developed UFP in November following transportation to Germany, I would like to know if any others out there can shed some light or had any similar experiences as Im having conflicting advice from different vets.

Basically .... In November, she was x rayed then given a 3 week course of bute twice daily, the x rays were ok appart from some rough surfaces on the joint, and advised to walk in hand as much as possible, after the 3 weeks the symptoms dissapeared and we were advised to start gentle riding. Within 2 weeks the Stifle started locking again.

In Late December, he had another vet do an ultra sound and was given injections directly into the ligament. The ultrasound showed a lot of fluid build up, which was drawn off, and again she was but on a 2 week course of bute 2 times daily, but the final week reduced down to one sachet a day, but this time we were told to lunge lots in trott, canter and hard excercise.

Last week she was symptom free and we reduced the bute to one a day, but she has started occasionally locking when she comes out of the stable in the morning or if shes stood and takes her first step. She is still taking one a day, but the vets wants to take her off the bute and perform a small operation on her to cut the ligament.

I have heard this operation is good for youngsters who still have some growing to do, but the prognosis is not too good for older animals and sometimes can leave them permanently lame. Since the ponies passion is to jump, i spoke to our vet in the uk, he would advise to put her on but a bit longer and wait, as it could be that she could never jumpt again, but getting bute in Germany is very difficult and the 2 vets I have used are refusing.

I am totally confused and unsure what to do.... has anyone had a similar experiences or can give some advise, would be very welcomed.

Many thanks
Julie

 

[be positive]

No help really as not dealt with it in older ponies, however with the young ones apart from increasing strength through work an old vet always suggested a good vit and mineral supplement to aid healing and build up their condition.
Hope you can get some more advice as the pony is still young.

 

[Booboos]

My horse had exactly the same symptoms, e.g. locking patela, fine with a bit of rest, locking when coming back into work, locking on the first few steps straight out of the stable etc. I am sorry to say it was not a happy story.

He did not look lame until, in desperation, the vet nerve blocked him and we realised that he was desperately lame in both hinds. It turned out to be stifle OCD which, unfortunately, did not respond to the operation (18 months after the op his patela locked again!).

Stifle OCD cannot be seen on x-rays, the diagnosis is only confirmed during the arthroscopy, but if your pony is lame after the stifle nerve block I would seriously consider the OCD.

 

[squirtlysmum]

One of my horses has had UFP for more of his life, he's now 18 and I compete him at dressage. I've found that with work and being kept in overnight his condition is much better. When I originally had him on loan I was told he must live out however his legs locked regularly and it was quite pitiful to see him with his leg stuck. Approx a year ago I started to bring him in at night, he now lives in a large stable and the difference is fab he is a very happy boy and legs just never get stuck. I think its because he has plenty of room to move in his stable and gets a chance to rest.
He can jump and doesn't seem to have a problem when doing it although I'm somewhat of a coward these days and stick to the sideways stuff.
UFP can be managed, if your vet has suggested the op then consider it however my boy really does ok so you could save yourself the worries and expense that go with an op.

 

[Kyo's Mum]

UPF in older horses is normally due to an imbalance in the muscles of the thigh, particularly overly tight/developed ham strings, in combination with weak quariceps and inner thigh muscles. I would recommend you get a good equine body worker involved who can use therapy and show you exercises to help. I would be looking at 'body wraps' like those often shown in TTouch demos and hand walking over alternate raised end trot poles to encourage flexion and therefore muscle development in the quads. Hope that helps