can be used to help prevent horses from kicking walls.
Meniscal Tears Tearing of the meniscus &/or associated meniscal ligaments within the femorotibial joint occurs in about 10% of all stifle lameness cases. The cause is trauma such as a direct kick or tearing of the meniscus during high impact activities. Usually meniscal tears occur in conjunction with a severe sprain of the medial collateral/cranial or caudal cruciate ligaments. A meniscus may also become ‘ ’ or eroded if there is chronic stifle joint instability or DJD. The meniscus is more commonly affected, and barrel racers tend to have higher incidence. Signs & symptoms include sudden onset of severe lameness which improves with rest, effusion of stifle joint, fibrillation of meniscus and possible dystrophic of the meniscus. Meniscal injuries are often masked by the signs and symptoms of other ligament injuries. Due to the complexity of the stifle joint, diagnosing specific conditions of the stifle can be difficult and confusing, eliminating all other causes of stifle lameness can be helpful to start. Arthroscopy is best to diagnose and debride the meniscus/joint. Ultrasound and x-ray can also be used to see if fibrillation or calcification has occurred. Stifle flexion & joint block can also be useful.
Treatment includes stall rest, NSAIDs, CEP, IRAP and possible arthroscopy to repair or remove the meniscus.
About of horses with mild to moderate tears can return to their previous level of exercise, while severe cases or those that develop DJD/OA have poor prognosis for athletic return.
Intervertebral Disc Disease
Intervertebral disc disease is considered rare in horses, though this may be due to under recognition of this condition in animals. Intervertebral discs are made of fibrocartilage and sit between the bodies of adjacent vertebra. Intervertebral disc disease is caused by acute or repeated trauma. Most commonly it is seen as a ‘ ’ type injury during rapid acceleration or deceleration of a horse trailer. Trauma causes subluxation of the vertebrae, sprain and inflammation of the structures of the intervertebral joint. or protrusion of the disc may also occur due to trauma. As the injury to the intervertebral structures matures, fibrosis of the intervertebral disc and the intervertebral ligaments occurs. Over time the disc becomes calcified, which may lead to ossification of the intervertebral disc and ankylosis of the adjacent vertebrae.
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