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Sticky stifle? Posted by Franca on 7/2/2008, 10:55 pm 68.189.88.35 Anybody seen this? This just started this afternoon, although I remember it happening at least once (maybe twice) before, quite awhile ago. It resolved on its own by the next day last time, but I don't like that I'm seeing it again. Unfortunately the previous episode happened so long ago I don't remember exactly when it was, and am not certain if it was the same leg or not. Anyway, what was happening this afternoon: when the right hind straightened it stuck for a moment before - click - it bent again. It didn't seem to be painful but it definitely interfered with her movement. It was most obvious backing up (that's how I first noticed it), where there was a momentary but very visible delay before the leg bent and was able to step back. When she was standing at rest, the leg bent easily and I had no trouble picking it up and moving it around. ??? I have to take her to Steinbeck anyway this month for a recheck on a different issue but am wondering if I need to go sooner now rather than later?  Post a Response

sounds like Stringhalt... Posted by gallophome3 on 7/2/2008, 11:17 pm, in reply to "Sticky stifle?" 71.105.136.51 I rescued a 2 year old filly many years ago and she experienced numerous episodes similar to what you have described. Her episodes were much closer together though, and her hing leg would actually get stuck/locked in an outward position for upwards of a day or longer. My vet diagnosed her with "Stringhalt". He performed a minor procedure that snipped a specific area of her tendon high on the inside of the affected rear leg. She healed up great, was 100% sound, and was adopted out. Her new owners said she never had another episode...we still keep in touch, and she's been great, as if she never had the problem to begin with. Here's something I found on the internet about Stringhalt: Stringhalt is a disease that results in an exaggerated flexion of one or both hind legs. Some horses may show only mild signs with slight flexion seen when the horse is backed or stopped suddenly. In other cases the flexion can be so severe that the front of the fetlock may hit the belly. If both back legs are affected a bunny hopping type of gait may develop. There can often be wasting of muscles around the gaskin.  Post a Response

the string halt I've seen is Posted by mary bluepony on 7/3/2008, 11:59 am, in reply to "sounds like Stringhalt..." 69.19.14.33 a goose stepping, continuous occurance of the hind legs as the horse walks.  Post a Response

exactly Posted by frankie1159 on 7/7/2008, 3:50 pm, in reply to "the string halt I've seen is" 171.159.64.10 stringhalt is not a "sticking" of any joint...it is a recurring, exaggerated movement of the hock usually overstepping out, down or up. I have a horse that has stringhalt, nothing "locks" or "sticks"- he just swings that leg out a little as he walks. I am surprised your vet diagnosed a sticking joint as stringhalt...sounds like a locking joint to me! Anyhow if the horse isn't "lame" (stringhalt is considered a lameness though the horse may not be bothered by it at all)I wouldn't recommend the surgery, I've seen other horses that the surgery helped & only months or weeks later the horse is back to jerking his hock...usually because the stringhalt is caused by scar tissue...they remove it in the surgery & it just comes back. My horse was in an accident years before I bought him. I bought him even with the stringhalt because it doesn't bother him in the slightest- he doesn't hit his belly, he doesn't slam his foot down, he just swings it out a little & it gives him some character! ha ha ha...He's a lovely driving horse.  Post a Response

that was fixation of the patella, old cure Posted by pnp4kidz on 7/3/2008, 2:36 pm, in reply to "sounds like Stringhalt..." 64.54.90.194 they used to, and I guess still CAN... cut the patellar tendon to release the 'locking' mechanism... they used to call it 'stifled'. maybe that was the term? I had this tendon cut on the first horse I had with it, in the late 70's... he did fine... they said he could not ever deep sleep standing again tho... but I never noticed anything different except he never locked anymore. anyway... I think that is what you are describing  Post a Response

Re: Sticky stifle? Posted by HaffieCheryl on 7/3/2008, 2:25 am, in reply to "Sticky stifle?" 71.139.189.219 | Message modified by user HaffieCheryl 7/3/2008, 10:53 am If/when you do return to Steinbeck, request Dr. Durham to ultrasound the leg. My horse has similar symptoms after severing her extensor tendons. Hopefully, your horse just has a stain or something getting in the way of her movement. Steinbeck's team will do a great job investigating the ligaments and tendons to pinpoint the area of concern. Best of luck (and patience) to you and your horse. Cheryl  Post a Response

Upward fixated patella Posted by Jane on 7/3/2008, 8:10 am, in reply to "Sticky stifle?" 207.200.116.14 If you do a search, you can find lots of information on that. Conditioning on hills is a common way of working towards improvement. Talk to your vet at Steinbeck; how nice that you are already going.  Post a Response

upward fixation of the patella Posted by pnp4kidz on 7/3/2008, 10:34 am, in reply to "Sticky stifle?" 64.54.90.194 agree with Jane, especially common during growth spurts, in 2 year olds... they are most apt to do fine with lots of exercise, especially trotting and hill work... it might lock more at the canter too. not painful to them at all, it is the same locking mechanism used to sleep. I've had two with it...  Post a Response

Thanks, everyone! Posted by Franca on 7/3/2008, 1:04 pm, in reply to "upward fixation of the patella" 68.189.88.35 She is seven yrs. old, so not a baby any more. Not sure what it is, yet, of course, but will know more on Tuesday. In the meantime she certainly seems not to be bothered by it.... I'm gonna worry anyway, but on my second call to Steinbeck was somewhat reassured by the fact that they don't consider a sticking stifle to be an emergency. Now I just hope that circumstances don't prove us all wrong over a holiday weekend. I'm thinking positive thoughts ... thinking positive thoughts.... Oh - on the hill work, she walks up and down a hill multiple times every day where she is pastured, which I've always thought was a Good Thing. However she hasn't been ridden much at all this year so isn't the fittest she's ever been! Was hoping to do start (slowly) doing something about that this weekend but now I will wait till she's been seen at Steinbeck. Thanks again, will update later.  Post a Response

Re: Thanks, everyone! Posted by Emma on 7/3/2008, 9:34 pm, in reply to "Thanks, everyone!" 71.146.92.40 While you're there ask them about Estrone. My filly has done well getting Estrone shots weekly for her stifles. It's fairly inexpensive as a bottle will last 3-4 months. http://sites.google.com/site/svstables/  Post a Response

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