Less Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Intermittent Upward Fixation of Patella
Summary
Before the equine hind limb can fold, the kneecap (patella) must be lifted off a locking ridge on the end of the femur. It is akin to a release latch on a folding table. If the patella is not lifted properly, the whole limb remains locked. In the condition "locking patella", the stifle remains locked until it pops loose or it is dislodged by someone who knows how to unlock it.
Intermittent upward fixation of the patella is a mild variation on locking patella. Here, there is just a transient catch of the patella on the medial trochlear ridge of the femur. Riders may complain of a "catch" or "snap", lameness, poor performance, or a sense of the horse collapsing or falling away behind. Horses that have this condition may snap their feet upward in a stringhalt-like gait.
Horses with this syndrome often have straight hind limb conformation, and poor body condition or muscle tone. It is common in young, undeveloped horses, and those that are convalescing and have lost muscle tone.
The diagnosis requires a lameness exam and can be difficult. Radiographs usually do not show a problem, unless there is other injury to the stifle causing bony changes.
Treatment includes conditioning and strengthening exercises, usually trotting over cavilleti or up long hills, movements that help to strengthen the quadriceps muscle group. There are a variety of other more aggressive treatments.
Intermittent upward fixation of the patella is a mild variation on locking patella. Here, there is just a transient catch of the patella on the medial trochlear ridge of the femur. Riders may complain of a "catch" or "snap", lameness, poor performance, or a sense of the horse collapsing or falling away behind. Horses that have this condition may snap their feet upward in a stringhalt-like gait.
Horses with this syndrome often have straight hind limb conformation, and poor body condition or muscle tone. It is common in young, undeveloped horses, and those that are convalescing and have lost muscle tone.
The diagnosis requires a lameness exam and can be difficult. Radiographs usually do not show a problem, unless there is other injury to the stifle causing bony changes.
Treatment includes conditioning and strengthening exercises, usually trotting over cavilleti or up long hills, movements that help to strengthen the quadriceps muscle group. There are a variety of other more aggressive treatments.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
Very Common
Less Common
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
The prognosis is good with conditioning exercises in most cases. It depends on whether there are other problems in the stifle as well.my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Very Common
Less Common
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- What treatment(s) do you recommend in addition to strengthening exercises?
Prevention
Ensure that horses are maintained fit. Exercises are recommended to strengthen the quadriceps muscle group- trotting over cavilleti, and long trots up a gentle incline.
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health