Diagnosis and Management of Equine Axial Skeleton

what are functions of the vertebral column

protect spinal cord and nerve roots

weight bearing and soft tissue attachment

flexibility and locomotion

what is part of a spinal examination

observation

soft tissue palpation

bony palpation

soft tissue and joint mobilization

what history is significant for spinal injury

change in behavior

stiffness

performs better in one direction

non localized forelimb lameness

t/f there is correlation between having back problems and limb lameness

true

full spinal exam is done in

all horses with chronic lameness

full lameness exam is done in

all horses with back pain

what are clinical signs of back pain

pain with digital pressure

poor hind limb impulsion

epaxial muscle hypertonicity

lateral bending stiffness

concavity of muscle indicates

muscle loss, pain, not active

what is felt in soft tissue palpation

skin

subcutaneous structures

connective tissue

muscle

what is allodynia

non-noxious stimuli produces pain response

what is hyperalgesia

exaggerated response to noxious stimuli applied to a painful area

trunk lateral bending comes from

T8-T15

trunk axial rotation comes from

T9-T16

trunk flexion-extension comes from

L6-S1

what can cause alopecia

saddle fit

blanket rub

What would make alopecia clinically relevant

heat, pain, swelling

sensitivity

scar tissue

what is ankylosis

fusion of bony processes

OA causes

bony proliferation

OC causes

bony fragments

what is seen in a horse with fractured withers

cleft spot at top of withers

2x as wide as it’s supposed to be

what is spinous process impingement

sclerotic changes in spinous processes

OA can happen at the same time

what can cause pelvic asymmetry

muscular imbalances

chronic lameness

compensatory gait

how asymmetrical must pelvis be to be signifigant

>1cm

what diagnostic imaging can be used for axial skeleton

plain film radiographs

myelography

nuclear scintigraphy

ultrasound

CT

what additional diagnostics can be used for axial skeletion

rectal exam

bloodwork

urinalysis

muscle biopsy

EMG

what should be done in inflammatory phase

pain management

limit tissue damage

What should be done in proliferative phase

enhance tissue healing

restore function

what should be done in remodeling phase

condition tissues to loading

Structural-functional reintegration

prevent reinjury

what should always be used for axial skeleton issue

pain management

what is done for acute pain of axial skeleton

NSAIDs 1st tool

cryotherapy

acupuncture

low-level laser therapy

muscle relaxants

stretching exercises

what is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

stimulate sensory nerves

pain modulation

low frequency = chronic pain, high frequency = acute pain

t/f TENS when used causes a contraction

false, does not

when is low-level laser therapy used

wound management

acute back pain

musculoskeletal disorders

challenge getting through hair to skin

intraarticular injections can hold

up to 5cc fluid

what is used in chronic pain

moist heat

chiropractic treatment

stretching exercises

acupuncture

massage therapy

electrical stimulation

what is massage therapy

applied along neck and withers

causes reduction in HR and increased positive behavioral responses

what surgeries can be done for axial skeleton

arthroscopic removal of OC fragments

cervical vertebrae interbody fusion

spinous process resection of thoracolumbar impinged spinous processes

internal fixation of fractures

What is A

Normal articular process

What is B

Mild osteophytes and lytic lesions

What is C

Moderate osteophytes and lytic lesions

What is D

Severe osteophytes and lytic lesions

What is being shown

Fractured withers

What is A

Normal spinous processes

What is B

Grade 1 kissing spine

What is C

Grade 2 kissing spine

What is D

Grade 3 kissing spine

What is E

Grade 4 kissing spine

What is F

Grade 5 kissing spine (ankylosis)

What is being shown

Spinous process impingement (kissing spine)

What is being done in A

Extension

What is being done in B

Neutral

What is being done in C

Flexion

What are these called

Proprioceptive pads