roybie
05-18-2006, 10:07 PM
After much agonising I had a MPLD (Medial Patellar Ligament Desmotomy) done on my beloved 5 year old show hack. He is at the peak of fitness and still had intermittant locking of the stifle. He was beginning to get a lowgrade lameness from the inflamation of the ligament from the constant catching. He also has begun to to a little 'skip' in downward transitions.
I know this procedure is out of favour at the moment due to studies having shown that there can be fragmentation of the patellar in many horses after the operation, but from what i read horses (and vet advice) were previously advised to go straight back to work, whereas my vet said his prognosis was 'with sufficient rest return to previous athletic function is considered excellent' He advised 4 weeks box rest 4weeks yard rest 2 weeks paddock.
I am wishing I had looked for other alternatives such as ligament splitting but as we are in a remote area there were no vets within 7hr drive that had done this.
I am SO worried as after 8 days the OS Stifle still has slight swelling at the site and if I back him a step or 2 he is very reluctant to bend his stifle ie. he tends to drag his leg back slightly in a 'locked stifle' kind of way instead of stepping back. There is no swelling at all on the NS stifle. When leading him forward, again he seems reluctant to use his leg properly and drags his toe slightly on the ground instead of picking up his foot and stepping properly. Anything I should/can do at this stage? or is it wait and see? Is this common after 8 days? His temperature is 37.7 - 37.9 for the last 3 days. He seems happy enough and certainly eating well.
Anywone who has had any experience with this procedure I would love to hear from. This is a top show horse and I am hoping I haven't ruined him. :(
I know this procedure is out of favour at the moment due to studies having shown that there can be fragmentation of the patellar in many horses after the operation, but from what i read horses (and vet advice) were previously advised to go straight back to work, whereas my vet said his prognosis was 'with sufficient rest return to previous athletic function is considered excellent' He advised 4 weeks box rest 4weeks yard rest 2 weeks paddock.
I am wishing I had looked for other alternatives such as ligament splitting but as we are in a remote area there were no vets within 7hr drive that had done this.
I am SO worried as after 8 days the OS Stifle still has slight swelling at the site and if I back him a step or 2 he is very reluctant to bend his stifle ie. he tends to drag his leg back slightly in a 'locked stifle' kind of way instead of stepping back. There is no swelling at all on the NS stifle. When leading him forward, again he seems reluctant to use his leg properly and drags his toe slightly on the ground instead of picking up his foot and stepping properly. Anything I should/can do at this stage? or is it wait and see? Is this common after 8 days? His temperature is 37.7 - 37.9 for the last 3 days. He seems happy enough and certainly eating well.
Anywone who has had any experience with this procedure I would love to hear from. This is a top show horse and I am hoping I haven't ruined him. :(