Do horses recover from a stifle injury?
Kaycee Monnens. In the past, an injury to the stifle joint of a horse may have certainly ended his or her career or usefulness. Now, with the ever-evolving science of veterinary medicine, afflictions to the joint have a much higher chance of being treated or even healed.
What do you do for a stifle injury?
Treating ligament injuries in the stifle is similar to how they would be managed elsewhere in the body. “Rest, anti-inflammatory medications and maybe stem cells if we can locate and access the damaged area,” says Frisbie.
How to treat a stifle injury in a horse?
Treatment of Stifle Injuries in Horses. Once your veterinarian has diagnosed the stifle injury in your horse, treatment will vary based upon the specific injury or disease. Rest will be recommended in order to alleviate the swelling and provide the opportunity for the joint to begin to heal.
What kind of injury is a stifle injury?
But stifle injuries may involve soft tissues, the bones, or both—which can sometimes make diagnosis and treatment challenging. Rick Mitchell, DVM, of Fairfield Equine Associates in Newtown, Conn., said that in most athletic horses, hind limb injuries more commonly involve the hock and suspensories rather than the stifle.
How long does it take for a stifle injury to heal?
Small fractures can heal without surgery but will require time off and stall rest. Depending on the horse, and the injury you can expect between three and five months of recovery time. Stifle lameness typically develops secondary to trauma. The joint is very susceptible to damage in most horses competing in equine athletic events.
How many stifle joints does a horse have?
Although horsemen refer to the stifle as if it were a single joint, it’s actually a three-for-one deal with lots of extras thrown in. Wrapping your mind around the anatomy of the stifle joint can take a few minutes, but it’s important for understanding the diagnostic and treatment challenges it presents.
When to use the stifle on a horse?
Rick Mitchell, DVM, of Fairfield Equine Associates in Newtown, Conn., said that in most athletic horses, hind limb injuries more commonly involve the hock and suspensories rather than the stifle. “But the stifle should always be considered when diagnosing a serious hind limb lameness,” he said.
But stifle injuries may involve soft tissues, the bones, or both—which can sometimes make diagnosis and treatment challenging. Rick Mitchell, DVM, of Fairfield Equine Associates in Newtown, Conn., said that in most athletic horses, hind limb injuries more commonly involve the hock and suspensories rather than the stifle.
Small fractures can heal without surgery but will require time off and stall rest. Depending on the horse, and the injury you can expect between three and five months of recovery time. Stifle lameness typically develops secondary to trauma. The joint is very susceptible to damage in most horses competing in equine athletic events.
Why are dressage horses at risk for stifle injuries?
Dressage horses, who do not perform at speed like jumpers and eventers, may also be susceptible to stifle injuries because the requirements of their sport necessitate bending and rotating their upper bodies, which can also place the stifle joint at risk. But it isn’t only equine athletes whose stifles are at risk of injury.