The horse has the capability of staying in a standing position for prolonged periods. This can be done by a particular locking mechanism of the stifle. The patella can hook itself over the inner trochlear ridge of the femur, easing the load on the quadriceps muscle. This allows the horse to sleep in the standing position, utilizing minimal muscle recruitment.
Upward fixation of the patella occurs when the horse is unable to unlock the stifle. This may range in frequency and severity, from a small catch or pop barely notable to the rider and sport horse veterinarian, all the way to a persistently locked state where the horse may be distressed and dragging the leg locked behind them.
There are a myriad of effective treatments available, but they must be tailored to the individual case.
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