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DR. AJIT TRIVEDI
VETERINARY OFFICER
INTENSIVE POULTRY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK, ALEMBIC ROAD VADODARA
GONITIS:
INFLAMMATION OF STIFLE JOINT IN
EQVINE
ETIOLOGY, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT
GONITIS
WHAT IS GONITIS ?
INFLAMMATION OF STIFLE JOINT DAMAGING THE ARTICULATING SURFACE OF
BONE, CARTILAGE &CO-LATERAL AND CRUCIATE LIGAMENT.IT IS A SERIOUS DISEASE
EVEN IN MILD FORM AND OFTEN RESULTS IN PERMENANT DISABILITY OF THE
AFEECTED HORSE.
Etiology:several factors.
 (1). Injury to the anterior or posterial cruciate
ligament
 (2) sprain of medial or lateral co-lateral ligament.
 (3) injury to the menisci.
 (4) Injury to the joint capsule.
 (5) Fracture of bone forming stifle joint.
 (6) Partial or complete upward fixation of patela.

Anatomy
The stifle is actually comprised of two joints: the
joint of the femur and tibia, which is called
Femorotibial, and the joint of the femur and
patella, called Femoropatella.
The cruciate ligaments, a pair of ligaments which
cross each other and connect the femur to the tibia,
are situated between the two joint pouches of the
femorotibial joints. Direct joint communication
between the medial femorotibal and femoropatella
joints is present in most of the horses.
The Menisci, which are cartilaginous
C-shaped discs positioned between the
femur and tibia
-Assist
in providing shock absorption and
prevent bone to bone contact.
There are also a number of important
supporting ligamentous structures,
including the medial and lateral
collateral ligaments, as well as the
lateral, middle and medial patella
ligaments.
STIFLE JOINT
STIFLE JOINT
CLINICAL FINDINGS:
(1) palpation of stifle joint reveal pain.
 (2)Distension and thickening of joint capsule
between the patellar ligament.
 (3)Horse keep stifle joint slightly flex.
 (4)Horse limping by affected hind limb.
 (5) Horse not able to bear the weight on affected
hind limb.

TREATMENT:
DEPEND ON A RANGE OF FACTORS, INCLUDING
THE EXACT NATURE AND SEVERITY OF THE
INJURY, INTENDED FUTURE USE OF THE HORSE
AND FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS.
(1) Give Analgesic and Anti inflammatory
drug.
Inj.Esgipyrin 15ml I/M or
Inj.prednisolone10ml I/M
(2)Give Nervine tonic
Inj.B1, B6,B12 10ml I/M
(3)Advise owner to give complete rest to the
horse.
(4)Complete rest follow by controlled exercise
programme.
Injection of hyaluronic acid preparations once
weakly for 6 -8 weeks gives good results.
Application of counterirritants or cautery may be
helpful
LATEST LINE OF TREATMENT
Direct intraarticular treatment:
 Corticosteroids, Hyaluronic acid
 Systemic treatment with drugs, such as:
phenylbutazone, oral joint supplements,
pentosan,Glucosamine
 Surgery: Arthroscopy, Blistering of patella
ligaments
 Complementary therapies: massage, acupuncture
 Systematic treatments

Arthroscopy
It is a procedure for diagnosing and
treating joint problems. A surgeon inserts a
narrow tube attached to a fiber-optic video
camera through a small incision — about the
size of a buttonhole. The view inside your joint
is transmitted to a high-definition video
monitor.
Te Menisci,
The
Menisci,which
whichare
are
cartilaginous C-shaped discs
positionedbetween
positiond
betweenthe
thefemur
femur
and tibia, assist in providing shock
absorption and prevent bone-on-bone
contact. There are also a number of
important supporting ligamentous
structures, including the medial and
lateral collateral ligaments, as well as
the lateral, middle and medial patella
ligaments.
Stifle injuries in the horse range from minor to very severe.
If your horse is locking its patella, the prognosis is
very good with proper treatment.
If your horse has ruptured ligaments or a torn meniscus,
the prognosis is more guarded and will likely require surgery.
. Arthritis of the stifle has a poor prognosis
for athletic soundness.
veterinarian will be able to determine the
type of injury and prognosis.