A novel surgical technique for treatment of cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (wobbler syndrome) in a filly.

This research study describes a new surgical method to treat a debilitating neurological syndrome in horses, known as equine wobbler syndrome, which was successful in treating a 16-month-old Arabian filly.

Overview of Equine Wobbler Syndrome

• Equine wobbler syndrome, also known as cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (CVSM) or cervical ataxia, is a damaging neurological disorder that affects horses. It is caused by the compression of the spinal cord in the neck area.
• Symptoms often include weakness of the hind limbs, staggering during walking, abnormal horse gait, and a high degree of uncoordinated movement known as ataxia.

Case Study: Treatment Method for Equine Wobbler Syndrome

• The study focuses on an Arabian filly, who was 16-months-old and showed signs of grade 4 ataxia, hypermetria, hind limb weakness, stumbling movements when walking, and an unusual gait.
• This filly’s case history, observable signs, and myelography (a type of radiographic examination) indicated a spinal cord compression between the third and fourth, and fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae (C3, C4, and C4-C5).

Novel Surgical Technique

• The researchers’ novel surgical technique was deployed for the decompression and stabilization of the narrow point in the filly’s vertebrae. The procedure utilized a specially designed titanium plate and intervertebral spacer.
• The surgery’s success was noted through periodic radiographic imaging throughout an eight-month postoperative period, which showed the clear development of arthrodesis (surgical fusion of a joint) and absence of any complications.

Implications of the Study

• The study presented the efficient application of this new technique in cervical surgery of a horse. The method worked towards both decompressing and stabilizing the horse’s vertebrae, allowing for the development of arthrodesis and regression of the clinical signs.
• The promising results gleaned from the filly’s treatment suggest the need for further assessment of this innovative procedure in other horses that are clinically affected by CVSM.