Tibial Injuries and Recurrent Patellar Luxation In Young Horses

DISTURBANCES of gait associated with injuries to the stifle area, or to faulty conformation leading to stifle lame-nesses are common in the smaller breeds of horses. Minature Shetland ponies in particular seem to be especially prone to stifle lameness. Most authorities dis-cuss luxations of the patella as occurring rather infrequently as a cause of lame-ness, except that some indicate that it may be common in colts with poor con-formation or those fed a poor ration and, that these animals will "grow out " of the condition as they mature. However, spon-taneous recovery is not frequently seen in the smaller breeds, but instead the condition in most cases progressively be-comes worse if not treated. Classically, the luxation is described as being lateral or medial (upward) luxa-tion. Lateral luxation is quite rare and occurs when the patella becomes fixed upon the lateral condyle of the femur. When this occurs the leg is flexed, and no weight is borne by the affected leg. Medial or upward luxation occurs when Dr. Lundvall is an assistant professor in th