Upward fixation of the patella in youngstock

[rlhnlk]

I'm looking for more info on the above condition primarily answers to the following question's but all info appreciated:

* Does this condition have varying degrees e.g a little stiffness after a night in that walks off very quickly upto totally locked leg that is difficult for the horse to move.

* Is it a condition that is likely to get worse.

* Do most youngters grow out of it given correct nutrition and fitness.

* Is it more pre-dominant in horses that have lived out and then are suddenly stabled.

* Can it cause the affected limb to swell.

* Is it a common problem for youngstock (horse not pony)

* If a horse is slightly prone to the condition how large an impact on the athletic potential of the horse does it have?


I think thats all my questions for now. If I think of any more I will add them.

Thanks to anyone who answers.

 

[trendybraincell]

I'll answer as best I can but i only have a limited amount of experience with upward fixation.

[ QUOTE ]
* Is it a condition that is likely to get worse.[ QUOTE ]


It is common in youngsters, and will not necessarily stay with them. They tend to grow out of it

[ QUOTE ]
* Do most youngters grow out of it given correct nutrition and fitness.[ QUOTE ]


As above, no reason they shouldn't grow out of it

[ QUOTE ]
* Is it more pre-dominant in horses that have lived out and then are suddenly stabled.[ QUOTE ]


In my experience those living out suffer much less, I do not know if sudden stabling would bring it on, but stabling does tend to make it more frequent

[ QUOTE ]
* Is it a common problem for youngstock (horse not pony)[ QUOTE ]


Yes

[ QUOTE ]
* If a horse is slightly prone to the condition how large an impact on the athletic potential of the horse does it have?[ QUOTE ]


We had a very successful Welsh Cob that competed at County level Workers, dressage, flat showing, show jumping the works, it never affected his ability to jump. If he came out the stable with it locked you just walk him back a step or 2 and it would unlock

Hope that helps

 

[The_snoopster]

I cannot honestly answer all of your questions but can tell of my experience of the condition. A youngster i had developed the condition after quite a serious illness he lost a lot of weight and muscle although he fully recovered from this illness due to the muscle wastage he was then diognosed with upward fixation of the patella joint. The vet told me not to worry and that as the muscle returned the condition would gradually go, he did have it extremely bad and we would find him locked walking on three legs and dragging the affected leg behind him. We would have to push him backwards so he could unlock the leg, we was advised by the vet to lead him out in walk up hill to develope the muscle which we did. Unfortunately for us and him he never grew out of it and as a rising 4 year old we had to have it operated on where the vet cut the ligament, it was a simple op where he was sedated and it was done with him standing, he walked away cured of it. However it,s not a op i chose lightly but then he had the condition for 2 and a half years and everything else failed, when they have this op it means they can not lock the affected leg to sleep standing up and chances of early arthritis in the stifle are raised. His locking stifle was quite a bad one and most just grow out of it i was just unlucky. Wishing you good luck.

 

[DuckToller]

I had one horse with it so these answers are based on my experience and knowledge I gained from researching the condition a few years back.

Yes, it has varying degrees, I think after a long night in my horse was worse than perhaps after a few hours in.

It is a condition that usually improves once the horse is in work and carrying more muscle. I did hillwork, hillwork, and more hillwork!

Some youngsters grow out of it completely, others may always have a slight tendency.

Possibly, although maybe it never showed up before. Mine came over from Holland with a huge scar on his hind leg (only one locked) and I suspect he had got it stuck somewhere and caught his leg. I think they left him out in a field until they sold him in a job lot.

I think some breeds have more of a tendency particularly shetlands, but there's not enough research to back this up.

My horse was 4 when I bought him, 6 when I sold him. We competed up to 3'6 and did xc. At one competition, he jumped awkwardly into the water and his leg locked. Bit embarassing as the jump judge was yelling after us "Pull up, pull up, he's lame!". I kicked on and bless him he sorted himself out and we finished in style (him, not me). He is now Grade A sj.

 

[MrsMozart]

Friend's youngster had this. On vet's advice she was backed early (she'd already had a lot of handling and weight on her back). With exercise and being kept out it's now hardly noticeable. She's now three and ridden about three times a week. She'll be turned away at the end of this month, but wil be monitored - if there are any signs of it, she'll come back into work sooner.