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Equine veterinary journal2024; doi: 10.1111/evj.14123

Influence of surgical intervention at the level of the dorsal spinous processes on the biomechanics of the equine thoracolumbar spine.

Abstract: Surgical treatment options for horses with overriding dorsal spinous processes include interspinous ligament desmotomy and partial spinous process ostectomy. The impact of spinal surgery on the three-dimensional biomechanics of the equine thoracolumbar spine and the epaxial musculature is unclear. Objective: To investigate the influence of interspinous ligament desmotomy and cranial wedge ostectomy on the biomechanics of the equine thoracolumbar spine and the paraspinal Musculi multifidi. Methods: Ex-vivo experiments. Methods: Twelve equine thoracolumbar spine specimens were mounted in a custom-made mechanical test rig. Based on computed tomographic imaging, distances between dorsal spinous processes and the spinal range of motion (lateral bending, axial rotation, flexion, extension) were compared before and after desmotomy and cranial wedge ostectomy performed at two or five surgical sites. Anatomical dissection was subsequently conducted to document surgical trauma to the Musculi multifidi following desmotomy. Results: The distance between spinous processes in neutral position did not increase significantly after desmotomy (median preoperative = 7.2 mm, interquartile range [IQR] = 3.6 mm; median postoperative = 7.4 mm, IQR = 3.7 mm; p = 0.09), but increased significantly after ostectomy (median preoperative = 8.8 mm, IQR = 4.2 mm; median postoperative = 13 mm, IQR = 6.1 mm; p < 0.001). Both surgical procedures significantly increased the rotational spinal range of motion (p = 0.001), particularly at the level T14/T15 (median preoperative = 6.4°, IQR = 3.2°; median postoperative = 8.2°, IQR = 3.5°; increase = 28.1%; p = 0.02). Musculi multifidi injury was evident at all desmotomy sites. Conclusions: Ex-vivo study with limited sample size. Conclusions: Neither interspinous ligament desmotomy nor cranial wedge ostectomy resulted in an increased range of motion during flexion, extension or lateral bending but both procedures influenced the rotational component of the equine thoracolumbar spinal mobility.
© 2024 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2024-06-27 PubMed ID: 38934728DOI: 10.1111/evj.14123Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 research examines the effect of two surgical procedures; interspinous ligament desmotomy and cranial wedge ostectomy, on the biomechanics of a horse’s thoracolumbar spine, noting the changes in dorsal spinous process distances, and range of movement alongside potential damage to the paraspinal muscles.

Introduction and Objective

  • The objective of the research was to seek any potential influence of two surgical procedures; interspinous ligament desmotomy and cranial wedge ostectomy on the biomechanics of the equine thoracolumbar spine and the paraspinal Musculi multifidi.

Methodology

  • The researchers performed ex-vivo (outside of a living organism) experiments on 12 equine thoracolumbar spine specimens mounted on a custom-made mechanical test rig.
  • The team employed computed tomographic imaging to compare the distances between dorsal spinous processes and the spinal range of motion (in movements like lateral bending, axial rotation, flexion and extension) before and after the surgical procedures.
  • A subsequent anatomical dissection was conducted to assess any surgical trauma to the Musculi multifidi following desmotomy.

Results

  • The findings showed that the spacing between spinous processes in a neutral position did not significantly increase post-desmotomy. However, the spacing increased noticeably after ostectomy.
  • Both surgical procedures caused a substantial increase in the spinal range of motion for rotation, especially at the T14/T15 level.
  • All sites that underwent desmotomy revealed evidence of injury to the Musculi multifidi.

Conclusions

  • The sample size was limited in this ex-vivo study.
  • Neither of the surgical procedures resulted in an increased range of motion during flexion, extension or lateral bending. However, both procedures significantly influenced the rotational component of the equine thoracolumbar spinal mobility.

Cite This Article

APA
Baudisch N, Singer E, Jensen KC, Eichler F, Meyer HJ, Lischer C, Ehrle A. (2024). Influence of surgical intervention at the level of the dorsal spinous processes on the biomechanics of the equine thoracolumbar spine. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14123

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Baudisch, Natalie
  • Equine Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Hospital Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Singer, Ellen
  • Sussex Equine Hospital, Ashington, West Sussex, UK.
Jensen, Katharina Charlotte
  • Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Eichler, Fabienne
  • Equine Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Hospital Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Meyer, Henning Jürgen
  • Mechanical Engineering and Transport Systems, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Lischer, Christoph
  • Equine Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Hospital Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Ehrle, Anna
  • Equine Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Hospital Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

Grant Funding

  • Verein zur Fu00f6rderung der Forschung im Pferdesport e.V
  • Open Access Publication Fund of the Freie Universitu00e4t Berlin

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Tress D, Hennessy S, Merle R, Jensen KC, Lischer C, Ehrle A. Analysis of different techniques for injection of the interspinal space in horses. Equine Vet J 2026 Jan;58(1):256-267.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14515pubmed: 40348603google scholar: lookup
  2. Turek B, Pawlikowski M, Jankowski K, Borowska M, Skierbiszewska K, Jasiński T, Domino M. Selection of density standard and X-ray tube settings for computed digital absorptiometry in horses using the k-means clustering algorithm. BMC Vet Res 2025 Mar 13;21(1):165.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-04591-5pubmed: 40082938google scholar: lookup
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