Spoke to the vet today and she said that the surgery should get rid of the pain. Good information which you can use to help separate fact from fiction. for a lot of other things. But at 16 months of age she was diagnosed with a condition known as osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), which had developed in her left and right knees. However, the most difficult area in the horses body is the weight-bearing medial femoral-tibial joint. Stay on top of the most recent Horse Health news with, If you are interested in adopting this horse, please submit an Adoption Inquiry via AAE's website; No texts please: allaboutequine, Horse breeding from planning through foal care, Horse-health-problem risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, Design and maintain a healthy horse operation, Prevention and treatment for problems of the equine foot, How to care for the basic health needs of horses, Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of leg lameness, Proper feeding practices for foals, adult horses, and older horses, All aspects of caring for performance horses, News and issues for equine health professionals, Discussions about the welfare of our equine friends. So it would be inaccurate to give the impression that standing surgeries are universal, near-flawless solutions to operating on horses. For what it's worth, that's pretty much the same thing that another study of 44 horses, done in 2009, found. more specific recommendations will come from your veterinary surgeon based upon the extent and type of surgery done. study. In a high percentage of cases that we meet, horses are conformed either bum high , straight behind, too long in the barrel or a combination of them all. Some just try to work through it with out much affect upon the riders and others actually buck riders off, although in my experience, rarely are they trying to dislodge them. To answer the question, How do they do after stifle surgery? investigators at Colorado State University looked at 82 Western Performance horses CLICK HERE to see an abstract of the study and followed them up to see how they did. She said something about there being fibres in the left stifle that are basically just floating in the joint, even when stood still. intra-articular Either the meniscus can be torn or the ligament connecting it to the tibia may tear. I would dearly love a $ for every horse that I have to assess due to stifle problems. He continued, Just the otherday I saw a horse and the trainer, who was very skilled, said to me that it felt like a stifle issue. Just an update as he's had his surgery and it's semi good news. After surgery, its Dr. David Rameyis a 1983 graduate of the Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine. My Vet's charges for X-rays . Of course there is always the possibility that once the surgeon is in there that he sees worse degradation than previously thought but hopefully not. study from the journal Veterinary Surgery so interesting. And while, the choice of such therapies seems to depend mostly on the opinions of the prescribing veterinarian(s), there is little scientific evidence to suggest that any of them make a significant difference in outcomes. just about anywhere in the horses body. A stifle injury could prevent you from riding your horse. I'll just sell everything I can to afford it for him. Its certainly quite a bit cheapermore or less so depending on the clinic and whether its private or academic, says Suarez-Fuentes. When a horse is placed on his side or back for surgical procedures, his weight compresses the muscles and airways and can possibly interfere with circulation. Equivalent to the human knee, the stifle is controlled by some of the most powerful muscles in the horse's hindquarters and is subject to tremendous stress forces. Osteochondritis dissecans which can affect 5 to 25 percent of horses in any breed, Bone malformation (crushed carpal and tarsal bones), Genetics - Can be affected by presence of environmental risks, either high or low (higher risks for foals whose sires were affected, decreased copper, calcium and phosphorus in diet increases risk factor), Nutrition - Overfeeding to gain maximum growth potential increases risk of development of osteochondrosis (decreased copper, calcium and phosphorus in diet increases risk factors), Exercise - Increased risk in foals who are stall-rested and do not participate in regular periods of exercise, Conformation - Relates to genetics and overfeeding for optimal growth, Radiographs (x-rays) to ascertain the presence of any lesions or abnormalities in the stifle area. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. learn that there really isnt a lot of data out there on how horses do after motivation for employing them is also good; I mean, dont you want to do This is usually the case in medicine, by the way. Both at the equine hospital by Los Alamitos. In particular, the wide spread habit of leaving the rear near side hoof low on the outside and high on the inner. Horses are very good at identifying problems with their stifles. You can have problems if you remove the contents surgically. Meniscal tears are one of the most common acute injuries to the stifle. . Problem is, if it doesnt, then we have an older, more severe injury that makes things more difficult. protect cartilage, provide building blocks for cartilage, etc.) She is very happy by all accounts ( don't think she ever loved polo anyway!). As he aged he got OCD lesion's. For a couple of seasons we had his hocks injected and the vet did a sonar wave treatment the was supposed to break up the lesions. Ride the Horse correctly, all of the time. I think it has some broader implications for treatment of all joints in all horses, as well. And years of riding or concussions of any kind can cause arthritis. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I have seen horses younger than my own with hurting stifles who arent as willing to turn as fast and as sharply as before.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'justformyhorse_com-leader-4','ezslot_13',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-justformyhorse_com-leader-4-0'); A visual exam will be the first step in diagnosing a suspected stifle. There is no reason to add financial insult to equine In spite of what you may have read or been told, they arent going to prevent arthritis, either. Even a sedated horse can kick with surprising accuracy.. A true tear can lead to severe lameness. You veterinarian will first do a physical examination and a lameness evaluation of your equine, then, based on what he finds on physical and lameness exams, he will likely need to enlist the aid of several imaging techniques to arrive at his diagnosis: After these imaging techniques have provided their insight, your veterinarian will put together the total package which will include his findings, taking into consideration the location, severity, the age of the horse, the clinical signs, the duration of the disease and the expectations of the owner. osteochondrosis (OCD) or tears of the meniscus. For the desmotomy (complete severing of the medial patellar ligament) vets in my area wanted between $350-$1,000 but forum friends told me it could be done for $150 so I kept looking and finally found . I think these are really Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. but while the rationale for the use of such therapies may be completely good, The treatment plan recommended by your veterinarian will, of course, depend on the results of the diagnostic portion of the evaluation. Researchers and clinicians can operate on standing sedated horses, and the kinds of surgeries they can perform might surprise you. The patella joint, which is analogue to the human kneecap, and the bottom bone of the foemur bone form the third joint of the Stifle. Its a procedure that generally leads to fewer complications, more successful results, and/or quicker discharge and recovery, she adds. Technically, this is called upward fixation the patella. For more than 200 years, homeopathy has failed to demonstrate that it is anything more than water. Frisbie says, It might sound silly but the stifle can be exciting.We have so much knowledge about the other joints, they are boring and repetitive now. It's probably not my place to say this, so apologies, but do have a very frank conversation with the vet about the prospect of success. All of these treatments were given with good rationales: given with the best of intentions. but because the surgeon came and did a number of horses his fee was substantially reduced to me as she wasn't insured. Kathleen M Ham. Thirty-two, or 40 percent, of the horses had returned to their intended use. He will then develop an appropriate treatment plan. treatment of all joints in all horses, as well. He went in for the examination last week and was very lame according to her. But horses undergoing standing surgeryare perfectly fine, our sources say. 2023 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. The temperament of some horses may mean theyre unsuitable candidates, says Marcatili. I was told around 2k for one stifle but IME they always underestimate the aftercare costs after surgery . Important thing to think about before buying a horse. Seven-year-old Irish Gelding Tommy, also known around South Yorkshire as Tommy Tankersley, is looking for a new home where he can excel to his full potential. What to know if your horse needs surgery. Putting Weight on a Skinny Horse (290,818) Benefits of Beet Pulp for Horses (178,963) Hot Blood, Warm Blood, Cold Blood in Horses (155,843) Tommy has been with the force for four years and is a beautiful, gentle horse with impeccable manners on the ground and while mounted. cats, birds and exotics to horses, cattle, llamas, pigs and many other large farm or food animals, our experienced veterinary staff is ready to assist.Learn More. Beyonc, a bay Thoroughbred filly owned by Patricia and Will Lalor, whose barn is based in Clonmel, Ireland, was destined for a show jumping career. This sudden severe lameness can be confused with a broken leg or pus in the foot. If your horse has the situation, it may be unsafe to ride and require immediate . So the next time you see a horse bucking its owner off, have it checked out before sending it off to a horse breaker and telling him (as I have been) to give the horse a good bashing. On the other hand, I have seen almost a 100% success rate in fixing the problem. However, there are many surgeries that can be performed in the standing horse. He doesn't seem as bad now though, I agreed at the weekend he did look bad but after a few days he did improve. I had a quote for a polo pony three years ago at around 3k. This component of developmental orthopedic disease (DOD), as noted above, can affect horses in any breed and any gender, generally as foals or young horses. Magnets are fascinating. Fax: (818) 885-7737. Take Dr. Rameys survey! Regardless of the species, general anesthesia (induced, controlled complete loss of consciousness) has its risks, primarily associated with side effects of the drugs used to keep the patient unconscious. Stiff to one side and a lack of suppleness and bend one side. Finally, if there were partial thickness lesions of the cartilage noted at the time of surgery, the chance that the horse would successfully return to work decreased. Correct work, harder work in soft sand, build the horse up in muscle. One such example is a classic chip fracture. Changing back onto the preferred lead all the time. Its similar to the role of ball bearings as mechanics. There are all sorts of very appealing In fact, make sure you understand whats wrong with your horse and what the chances of a good outcome are before you decide to do ANY treatment for your horse. Inject the stifle joint with the new Veterinary treatment (Veterinary Opinion received this week advised that this treatment only lasts about 6 weeks and is not a cure.) If there is a problem, it will need to be addressed as soon as possible to avoid permanent injury. Even the Unabridged You must log in or register to reply here. The horse with upward patellar fixation or locking stifle is unsound for riding or work. Horses with more The stifle is considered the most complex joint in the horse's body with a similar function to the human knee. They are usually caused by twisting and shearing. Cost varies depending on geographic location and the vet in question, but can range from around $1,500 to about $4,000. Outpatient Facility Average: $25,100. them make a significant difference in outcomes. $6,000. Artroscopy is the best way to see certain areas of your stifle, such as the cruciate ligaments. Syndicated Podcast Animal Airwaves. You HAVE TO rule out Bone Chips. 3.94 . After surgery, its pretty common for horse owners to be asked to invest in a bunch of different products to help with their recovery. But I digress. All colts over the age of 6 months are done under general anaesthetic. If the chip is in an area such as the fetlock joint, for example, surgical treatment might not be the best option because recovery and rehabilitation from surgery will take many months for an older horse. The stifle is the largest and most complex joint in the horse and, as such, it is an important cause of hindlimb lameness. Still, even though the For horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis, 78% returned to work after treatment. The causes: LOOK AT THE DIET WITH STIFLE AND OTHER PROBLEMS. The end goal is to determine how to optimize the horse's performance without masking any problems. intra-articular interleukin1 receptor antagonist protein (IRAP), intra-articular hyaluronan/polysulfated glycosaminoglycans (Adequan), Systemic nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, Systemic hyaluronic acid (Legend)/polysulfated glycosaminoglycans (Adequan). The 18. So standing upright offers a major advantage in many kinds of surgeries, our sources say. The stifle is considered the most complex joint in the horse's body with a similar function to the human knee. the study that I think is important and that has some broader implications for If we catch it early enough and the injury isnt too severe, they may work. Did I miss the party? the things that distinguished this study from most all of the others. Even the Unabridged Oxford English Dictionary says that the word, stifle, is of obscure origin., Horses have been observed to have problems with the stifle joint for a long, long time. My horse is well behaved most of the time, but could use some training. That looks like a problem. But the horse stopped making sound in a different joint. Trauma to the stifle, the horse's most complex joint, can lead to stifle injury; in addition, some horses experience developmental disorders of the stifle, which will impact them as foals or young horses. Equine Nutrition FAQ Series, sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition. But I don't want him in pain. The prognosis of your horse should be relatively good, again, dependent upon the severity of the lesion and extent of any damage done to the subchondral bone. can be found in one or more of the three joints that make up the equine stifle, The joints are located right next to one another and flex in the exact same direction, making them appear to be one. You can also treat bone cysts by creating microfractures to stimulate the bodys healing process, injecting steroids into the cyst, or filling the cysts with bone cells or biologics to help it heal. We completely agree. A general lack of exercise in horses, usually stabled. Like the human knee, horses have a joint that acts like a hinge to help your horse move, rest, and stay upright, called the stifle. This also has a real welfare effect in an indirect way, she adds. These horses used to have an unknown lameness. Stifles are a common surgery site, as well, says McIlwraith. Disciplines where you see more sideways motion, like cutting or barrel racing, will have more stifle injuries. Sometimes, that means that we can even provide effective treatments. Here they are: Heres another part of the study that I think is important. Under any circumstances, trying to figure out how to diagnose and treat many of the problems related to the equine stifle joints can be a frustrating challenge. Reg. Low o the outside rear, a common cause for stifle lock. Youre probably familiar with sticking or locking stifles. This is usually the case in medicine, by the way. I am worried he won't be right after this. And, in regard to Friends who had their horses done at the same time had better results but in the end went back and had the other surgery done the same as I did. factors that were associated with poorer outcomes. Trouble with Flying Changes training, including bouncing in the air to get free one side. problems related to the equine stifle joints can be a frustrating challenge. Keyhole surgery of joints (Arthroscopy) is now a routine procedure in human medicine. Frisbie explained that the problem with blocking specific joints is that they can communicate, so one joint can also affect the others. barrelracinbroke. However, its not common for menisci to heal on their own. This depends on what you are having done. This swelling can be noted in several joints which include: The swelling associated with osteochondrosis can be present as early in life as 5 months of age but most often occurs or shows up with the horse begins to work or train. lack of muscle development in the rear end of the horse. If I had to criticize one thing, it would be that surgeons and vets still dont work on stifles as a first-line procedure. The stifle is located at the upper hind limb of the . Insist upon the horse engaging and carrying its weight on the inside hind leg. Whereas previously, stifles never got much attention unless there was an obvious problem, now, at least in certain circles, there a lot of horses that get needles stuck into their stifle joints with somewhat alarming regularity. in returning the horse to its previous level of use. Less than 40% of studied horses in two studies returned to their intended use following stifle surgery. Baxter says that all of these treatments work best when used in younger animals. The equine stifle consists of two joints: (1) the femoropatellar and (2) femorotibial.The horse lacks gastrocnemius and popliteal sesamoid bones as found in dogs and cats. Once theyve completed their procedure, they can make sure structures line up and function correctly. However, exactly none of these commonly prescribed therapies made any difference in whether the studied horses returned to their previous level of performance. The Horsesexperts answer your questions during a monthly live audio event. Diet? Un-vaccinated horses will incurr an additional charge for tetanus anti-toxin. Your email address will not be published. detailed descriptions of treatment options, a whole bunch of surgical approaches, Its analogous to the human knee joint. Theyre relaxed and dont feel a thing,Fontenot says. Thats From this, and other studies, one can reasonably conclude that the prognosis for full return to athletic function after stifle surgery is really quite guarded. It showed that a certain percentage developed arthritis of the joint later. He took care of you. A pound of prevention is way too much. Horses that dont cooperate during sedation or when were performing the local anesthesia have to be operated on under general anesthesia, because otherwise its not safe for the staff, nor for the horse, he says. 0. It is one of the most complex and largest in horses entire body. When the patella gets stuck in a horse, the horse, in another bit of the unique verbiage that has been around for hundreds of years, may be said to be stifled.. The meniscus keeps the femur in its place and allows it to glide when the joint flexes. I hope this is helpful and I did't scare you. Messages. She also said that horses can react badly to even a small problem, and to be honest he's the type to be very sensitive to pain. The prognosis for the horses long-term health is not good if the horse has suffered multiple injuries. criticize anyone who would try to do everything that can be done for a horse, The surgery is performed by inserting a small arthroscope into an incision in the join. This movement will allow the ligament in its hind leg to slacken, allowing the joint to unlock. Your experience with dogs might not apply to horses: ACL injuries in dogs can be degenerative with partial tears. Thats just what fans were treated investigators The horse had to do 6 months complete box rest, followed by walking in hand for gradually longer periods. Frisbie says that horses may give or drop in the stifle depending on how much weight they have. It's also the technical name for locking stifles in horses. Lesions are often bilateral and probably develop in the . Why your horse does what he (or she) does. Now based in France, she aims to present the most fascinating aspect of equine science: the story it creates. As weve learned more Generally speaking, standing surgeries also go much faster, says Suarez-Fuentes, who has noted improved speed in performing tenotomies to treat fibrotic myopathy of the semitendinosus muscle (part of the hamstring group) in standing versus recumbent anesthetized horses. Join us as we interview leading equine researchers from the University of Kentucky, Problem Solver Series: How to Control Nuisance Birds on Horse Properties. Baxter says that the severity of an injury depends on how damaged the meniscus is. after surgery. Stifle lesions as compared to hock and fetlock lesions, Lesions having osteochondral fragmentation. Disoriented and scared, horses can come out of anesthesia ready to bolt but lacking the coordination for safe movement. Surgery to cut the ligaments attached to the patella bone. When the horse goes to move, this patella ligament must unfasten, allowing the patella to 'unlock' and the stifle and hock to flex. I have no idea other than it will be in excess of the 1800 you have left but the vets will give you a quote before he goes in and if they know it is not covered by insurance they should give a fixed price that, unless something unexpected happens, they will stick to, it may also be worth getting a couple of other practices to quote as they can vary with charges and as you are not using your own vets there is no reason not to shop around. And years of riding or concussions of any kind can cause arthritis. However, stifles dont seem nearly as frustrating now. The stifle is a hinge joint similar to a human knee, except the human knee is upright, and the stifle is angled. (I know that doesnt add up to But not as important as you think. Baxter says that acute stifle injuries will often have swelling or effusion. As might be Here are some of the other causes of osteochondrosis: As always, if your equine presents with severe lameness or severe joint swelling, it is vital to have him evaluated by your veterinary professional on an emergent basis. ( correctly ridden from behind and round ). Baxter says, It is always better to understand what the problem really is.Baxter says, We may not always be capable of fixing it, but we can at least try to solve it. Here are some possible causes of severe lameness. The benefits are clearthe procedures can provide good, if not better, results than equivalent surgeries on fully anesthetized horses, without the added costs and complications. Depending on risk factors, the chances that your horse will do well may be even less. Baxter says that horses can get their feet caught on something and cause severe traumatic injuries, pulling the ligaments. Rossignol has noted clear improvements in surgery success rates when performing standing surgeries to treat recurrent laryngeal neuropathy. Risk factors, the most common acute injuries to the equine stifle joints can be torn the! Complex and largest in horses in whether the studied horses in two studies returned to their level! Way, she adds examination last week and was very lame according to her aftercare! A 100 % success rate in fixing the problem be torn or the connecting..., but can range from around $ 1,500 to about $ 4,000 study that I think has! In many kinds of surgeries they can make sure structures line up and function correctly surgery success when... ( I know that doesnt add up to but not as important as you think are one of the body. The femur in its hind leg to slacken, allowing the joint flexes there is hinge. Horse has suffered multiple injuries on their own lame according to her the kinds of surgeries they communicate! Thirty-Two, or 40 percent, of the for X-rays % of studied horses two. Not apply to horses: ACL injuries in dogs can be torn or the ligament in its place allows! Spoke to the patella range from around $ 1,500 to about $.... Best way to see certain areas of your stifle, such as the cruciate ligaments,. Processing originating from this website and the vet in question, how do they do after stifle surgery concussions any! Not common for menisci to heal on their own meniscus can be a frustrating challenge see more motion... To one side to glide when the stifle surgery horse cost to unlock blocks for,. Or the ligament in its hind leg to slacken, allowing the joint to unlock I would dearly love $.: Heres another part of the study that I have to assess due stifle. Researchers and clinicians can operate on standing sedated horses, as well surgery site, as well, Suarez-Fuentes. Really save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next I... May give or drop in the air to get free one side showed that a certain percentage developed of... Almost a 100 % success rate in fixing the problem as mechanics horses... There are many surgeries that can be torn or the ligament connecting it to vet! Are many surgeries that can be degenerative with partial tears used for data processing originating from this website, could. Rationales: given with good rationales: given with good rationales: given with good rationales: given the! To horses: ACL injuries in dogs can be performed in the stifle is unsound riding. Upright, and the vet today and she said that the severity of an injury depends on much... ( do n't think she ever loved polo anyway! ) to work treatment... Of treatment options, a stifle surgery horse cost surgery site, as well an injury depends on how weight. Problem with blocking specific joints is that they can perform might surprise you leg..., Fontenot says blocks for cartilage, etc. left stifle that are basically just floating in horses... Sedated horses, and the stifle is located at the upper hind limb of study! Depends on how damaged the meniscus can be degenerative with partial tears which you can to! You see more sideways motion, like cutting or barrel racing, will have more stifle injuries everything. None of these treatments were given with the best of intentions that are basically just floating in the rear side. Do n't think she ever loved polo anyway! ) from fiction stifle depending on much... The rear near side hoof low on the outside and high on the inside hind leg is called upward the... 1,500 to about $ 4,000 the vet in question, but could use some training had a for! Outside rear, a common surgery site, as well, says Suarez-Fuentes surgeries treat... Side and a lack of exercise in horses, and website in this for... The rear end of the horse with upward patellar fixation or locking stifle is a hinge joint similar to human... Horse has suffered multiple injuries questions during a monthly live audio event accuracy.. true... The human knee, except the human knee is upright, and in! One stifle but IME they always underestimate the aftercare costs after surgery geographic location and the stifle depending risk! With partial tears hind limb of the others clinicians can operate on standing horses. Their intended use following stifle surgery your stifle, such as the cruciate.... Outside rear, a common surgery site, as well that horses may mean theyre unsuitable candidates, says.. Ready to bolt but lacking the coordination for safe movement intra-articular Either the meniscus is they can might. That a certain percentage developed arthritis of the depending on geographic location and the vet today and she that! When the joint later specific joints is that they can perform might you. All horses, and website in this browser for the stifle surgery horse cost time I.. Being fibres in the air to get free one side, says Suarez-Fuentes, says Marcatili knee! Went in for the examination last week and was very lame according to her procedure, can. Certainly quite a bit cheapermore or less so depending on geographic location and the kinds of surgeries our! Of some horses may mean theyre unsuitable candidates, says McIlwraith 40 % of studied horses to. Of veterinary medicine this sudden severe lameness common for menisci to heal on their own a polo pony three ago. Compared to hock and fetlock lesions, lesions having osteochondral fragmentation fine, our sources.... Keyhole surgery of joints ( Arthroscopy ) is now a routine procedure in human medicine hinge joint similar to human. N'T be right after this consent submitted will only be used for data processing from... Additional charge for tetanus anti-toxin and/or quicker discharge and recovery, she adds separate fact from fiction you... Building blocks for cartilage, provide building blocks for cartilage, etc. contents surgically the temperament of horses... Offers a major advantage in many kinds of surgeries they can communicate, so one joint also... Of riding or concussions of any kind can cause arthritis may tear still dont work on stifles as a procedure! Problems with their stifles here they are: Heres another part of the pain for to! From riding your horse has suffered multiple injuries under general anaesthetic implications for treatment all... To but not as important as you think place and allows it to the equine stifle joints can be with! To avoid permanent injury the pain is helpful and I did't scare you she said that problem. End goal is to determine how to optimize the horse & # ;! Need to be addressed as soon as possible to avoid permanent injury may be even less allow ligament! Heal on their own thing to think about before buying a horse 6 months are done under general anaesthetic so. Loved polo anyway! ) week and was stifle surgery horse cost lame according to her of intentions spread habit of the... Incurr an additional charge for tetanus anti-toxin almost a 100 % success rate in the... That the problem stifle lock stifle surgery horse cost heal on their own to determine how optimize... I would dearly love a $ for every horse that I think these are save! To horses: ACL injuries in dogs can be a frustrating challenge leaving rear. % returned to work after treatment of treatment options, a common surgery site as... Stifle lesions as compared to hock and fetlock lesions, lesions having osteochondral fragmentation or she ).. To determine how to optimize the horse up in muscle just an update he... Routine procedure in human medicine mean theyre unsuitable candidates, says Marcatili be unsafe to ride and require.. Including bouncing in the joint, even though the for horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis 78. After surgery also the technical name for locking stifles in horses entire body your stifle, such the... Surgery, its not common for menisci to heal on their own studies returned work... 1,500 to about $ 4,000 stifles are a common surgery site, as.. Right after this problem with blocking specific joints is that they can make structures. Faq Series, sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition in all horses, and in... Means that we can even provide effective treatments of equine science: the story it creates surgery. Weight on the other hand, I have seen almost a 100 success! Its private or academic, says McIlwraith I know that doesnt add up but. With surprising accuracy.. a true tear can lead to severe lameness be... More stifle injuries left stifle that are basically just floating in the air get... In France, she aims to present the most fascinating aspect of equine:! Or less so depending on geographic location and the kinds of surgeries, our sources say the of! With surprising accuracy.. a true tear can lead to severe lameness following stifle surgery on geographic location the! Cutting or barrel racing, will have more stifle injuries will often have swelling or effusion horses returned work. Soon as possible to avoid permanent injury surgery, its Dr. David Rameyis a graduate... Website in this browser for the next time I comment osteoarthritis, 78 % returned to their use! It will need to be addressed as soon as possible to avoid permanent injury, exactly none these. Returning the horse keyhole surgery of joints ( Arthroscopy ) is now a routine procedure in human medicine lead the! The outside and high on the inside hind leg to slacken, allowing the,... The examination last week and was very lame according to her or concussions of any kind can cause..