A Closed Reduction of Cervical Spine Subluxation in an Arabian Foal with an External Neck Stabilizer.
Abstract: Cervical spine injuries that impact young horses and foals can result in mild to severe neurological signs or even result in sudden death. There are only a few reports on conservative treatment options for this condition in the scientific literature. If the condition is left untreated, it can lead to the development of degenerative joint disease, resulting in chronic neurological symptoms and discomfort. We present the case of a two-day-old Arabian foal that showed signs of ataxia following a neck injury, being the result of cervical spine subluxation. Radiological examination revealed a dislocation between the second and third cervical vertebrae. At admission to the clinic on the seventh day of life, the foal's clinical examination parameters were within physiological ranges. The head posture at the presentation was consistently low, the foal could not lift its head above the shoulder joint throughout the whole examination, the neck muscles were spastically tensed and clinical signs of ataxia were present. The foal underwent a closed reduction in the subluxation under general anesthesia and a fiberglass semicircular gutter was created to stabilize the neck in the desired position. The ataxia symptoms began to improve around day 12 post manipulation, and the fiberglass stabilizer was removed after 16 days post manipulation, followed by radiographs. The dislocation of C2/C3 was no longer visible on the radiographs, and the foal was able to assume a normal neck posture after the removal of the fixator.
Publication Date: 2025-01-23 PubMed ID: 39943095PubMed Central: PMC11816347DOI: 10.3390/ani15030325Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Case Reports
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The study investigates the treatment of a cervical spine injury on a young Arabian foal, which was effectively addressed using closed reduction and an external neck stabilizer. This approach successfully corrected a dislocation between the second and third cervical vertebrae and relieved symptoms of ataxia.
Background of the Study
- The study centers on an Arabian foal that suffered a neck injury resulting in cervical spine subluxation. This condition is serious and can lead to mild to severe neurological symptoms or even sudden death in young horses and foals.
- There is limited scientific literature on conservative treatment options for such conditions. If untreated, it can lead to degenerative joint disease, causing chronic neurological symptoms and discomfort.
- The foal in this study presented with a low head posture, spastic neck muscles, and obvious signs of ataxia. Radiological examination found a dislocation between the foal’s second and third cervical vertebrae.
Treatment and Outcome
- A closed reduction of the subluxation was executed under general anesthesia. An external fiberglass semicircular gutter was used to stabilize the foal’s neck in its proper position.
- The foal started to show improvement of ataxia symptoms around the 12th day, post manipulation, and the fiberglass stabilizer was removed on the 16th day.
- Post-treatment radiographs showed that there was no visible dislocation between the C2/C3 vertebrae, indicating that the treatment was successful. The foal was also able to assume a normal neck posture after the removal of the fixator.
Conclusion
- This research spotlighted the use of a closed reduction technique coupled with an external neck stabilizer as forming an effective treatment for cervical spine injuries in young horses.
- The results suggest this method warrants further exploration and could be considered as a viable treatment option for similar injuries in young foals.
Cite This Article
APA
Domańska-Kruppa N, Stefanik E, Wierzbicka M, Kleinpeter A.
(2025).
A Closed Reduction of Cervical Spine Subluxation in an Arabian Foal with an External Neck Stabilizer.
Animals (Basel), 15(3).
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15030325 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 100, 02-797 Warsaw, Poland.
- Equi Centrum Karkosy, Karkosy 18A, 99-100 Łęczyca, Poland.
- Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 100, 02-797 Warsaw, Poland.
- Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 100, 02-797 Warsaw, Poland.
- Tierklinik Alt Sammit, Lerchenweg 1a, 18292 Alt Sammit, Germany.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
References
This article includes 16 references
- Pinchbeck G, Murphy D. Cervical Vertebral Fracture in Three Foals. Equine Vet. Educ. 2001;13:8–12.
- Krunajevic T, Bergsten G. Luxation of The Cervical Spinal Column as a Cause of Wobbles in a Foal. Acta Vet. Scand. 1968;9:112–125.
- Cordula Gather T, Weinberger T, Nolting B. Halswirbelfraktur Bei Einem Pferd—Fallbericht. Pferdeheilkund. 2000;16:487–494.
- Barnes H.K, Crosby K, Talbot A, Baldwin C.M. Atlanto-Occipital Subluxation in an Adult Thoroughbred Gelding. Equine Vet. Educ. 2023;35:656–661.
- Watson A.G, Mayhew I.G. Familial Congenital Occipitoatlantoaxial Malformation (OAAM) in the Arabian Horse. Spine 1986;11:334–339.
- Nixon A.J. Fractures of the Vertebrae. pp. 299–312.
- Robertson J.L, Samii V. Traumatic Disorder of the Spinal Column. pp. 677–683.
- Dyson S.J. The Cervical Spine and Soft Tissue of the Neck. pp. 606–616.
- Tyler C.M, Davis R.E, Begg A.P, Hodgson D.R. A Survey of Neurological Diseases in Horses. Aust. Vet. J. 1993;70:445–449.
- Domańska-Kruppa N, Wierzbicka M, Stefanik E. Advances in the Clinical Diagnostics to Equine Back Pain: A Review of Imaging and Functional Modalities. Animals 2024;14:698.
- Licka T. Closed Reduction of an Atlanto-Occipital and Atlantoaxial Dislocation in a Foal. Vet. Rec. 2002;151:356–357.
- Puangthong C, Bootcha R, Petchdee S, Chanda M. Chronic Atlantoaxial Luxation Imaging Features in a Pony with Intermittent Neck Stiffness. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2020;91:103128.
- Licka T, Edinger H. Temporary Successful Closed Reduction of an Atlantoaxial Luxation in a Horse from the Clinic for Orthopaedics in Ungulates. Vet. Comp. Orthop. Traumatol. 2000;13:146–148.
- Gerlach L, Muggli L, Lempe J, Breuer W, Brehm W. Successful closed reduction of an atlantoaxial luxation in a mature Warmblood horse. Equine Vet. Educ. 2012;24:294–296.
- Pezzanite L.M, Easley J.T, Bayless R, Aldrich E, Nelson B.B, Seim H.B, Nout-Lomas Y.S. Outcomes after Cervical Vertebral Interbody Fusion Using an Interbody Fusion Device and Polyaxial Pedicle Screw and Rod Construct in 10 Horses (2015–2019). Equine Vet. J. 2022;54:347–358.
- Reardon R, Kummer M, Lischer C. Ventral Locking Compression Plate for Treatment of Cervical Stenotic Myelopathy in a 3-Month-Old Warmblood Foal. Vet. Surg. 2009;38:537–542.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
