Equine Health

Lameness

Stifle Patella Fixation

Q. I have a young horse whose rear  leg will suddenly get “hiked-up” off the ground and stuck there.  What is wrong?

A. It sounds as if you are describing “locking stifles” or “upward fixation of the patella” (kneecap).  The knee joint will suddenly lock or fix when the leg is in extension.  This is usually seen in horses that are not fit and in those with upright hindlimb conformation.  Although the exact cause of this condition is not known, gradually increasing exercise over soft ground until the horse is more fit may help, or joint injections may be needed.