What causes stifle injuries in horses?
Stifle injuries can result from repetitive stress, trauma, excessive use, changes in direction and rapid deceleration. Horses engaged in jumping and barrel racing are most at risk of these injuries.
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.
What causes pain and swelling in a horse?
Swelling, heat, and pain including lameness are signs of inflammation and proper treatment relies on accurately assessing the cause of the inflammation. Trauma, infection, allergies, and autoimmune diseases are all diseases that cause inflammation.
Where is the stifle joint located in a horse?
The most complex joint in the horse is the stifle joint. The joint includes the kneecap and its ligaments, which give structural stability. Similar to the human knee, the stifle is located on the horse’s hind limbs. Encircling the whole stifle joint is a thin capsule that has a special fluid that assists with shock absorption and lubrication.
What are the symptoms of stifle injuries in horses?
1 Swelling 2 Lameness 3 Seemingly intolerant of exercise 4 Kneecap locking up 5 Joint thickening
Are there new ways to heal horse stifle injuries?
Diagnosis and treatment of injuries in this complex joint of the horse have never been easier, thanks to advances in research and technology. Diagnosis and treatment of injuries in this complex joint of the horse have never been easier, thanks to advances in research and technology.
Swelling, heat, and pain including lameness are signs of inflammation and proper treatment relies on accurately assessing the cause of the inflammation. Trauma, infection, allergies, and autoimmune diseases are all diseases that cause inflammation.
What are the symptoms of stifle joint problems?
Usually the stifle joint will be swollen and possibly painful but not always. If the problems have been going on for a period of time in one leg, the other leg may develop problems from supporting too much weight. Diagnosing the problem requires a good physical exam, radiographs,…
