Impingement of the dorsal spinous processes in two hundred and fifteen horses: case selection, surgical technique and results

Summary The surgical treatment of impingement of dorsal spinous processes (DSPs) at 2 equine veterinary hospitals following a similar diagnostic and surgical protocol is described with special reference to the diagnosis and case selection. The diagnosis was made from clinical examination and results...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Equine veterinary journal 2002-01, Vol.34 (1), p.23-28
Main Authors: WALMSLEY, J. P., PETTERSSON, H., WINBERG, F., McEVOY, F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analgesia - veterinary
Anesthetics, Local
Animals
Back Pain - diagnosis
Back Pain - therapy
Back Pain - veterinary
dorsal spinous process
Female
Follow-Up Studies
horse
Horse Diseases - diagnosis
Horse Diseases - surgery
Horse Diseases - therapy
Horses
impingement
Lumbar Vertebrae - surgery
Male
Rest
Retrospective Studies
Spinal Diseases - diagnosis
Spinal Diseases - surgery
Spinal Diseases - therapy
Spinal Diseases - veterinary
surgery
Thoracic Vertebrae - surgery
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:Summary The surgical treatment of impingement of dorsal spinous processes (DSPs) at 2 equine veterinary hospitals following a similar diagnostic and surgical protocol is described with special reference to the diagnosis and case selection. The diagnosis was made from clinical examination and results of radiography and diagnostic analgesia of the affected sites. Scintigraphy was also used as an aid to diagnosis at one hospital. Surgical treatment was generally recommended when conservative treatment, which included 3–9 months rest, intralesional corticosteroids and physiotherapy, had failed. The DSPs were approached through a midline incision in the skin and supraspinous ligament. They were resected using an oscillating saw. Postoperatively, horses were returned to lungeing work after 2 weeks and riding commenced at 3 months, in most cases, and by 6 months in all successful cases. From one to 6 DSPs between thoracic vertebra (T) 11 and lumbar vertebra (L) 3 were resected in individual horses. T15, 16 and 17 were the spines most commonly treated. Long‐term follow‐up information was obtained in 209 horses. Seventy‐two percent of these horses returned to full work and a further 9% improved sufficiently to be used for some athletic work.
ISSN:0425-1644
2042-3306
DOI:10.2746/042516402776181259