Relationship Between Postural Stability and Paraspinal Muscle Adaptation in Lame Horses Undergoing Rehabilitation.
Abstract: Postural stability maintains balance, protects the spinal column, and allows accurate responses to destabilizing forces. The musculus multifidus (m. multifidus) is the major postural muscle located adjacent to the vertebrae along the length of the spinal column. Increased cross-sectional area (CSA) of the m. multifidus has been demonstrated in horses after a rehabilitation strengthening exercise program; however, correlation with functional postural stability has not been shown. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the relationship of the thoracolumbar m. multifidus CSA and measures of postural sway performance in lame horses undergoing rehabilitation exercises in clinical cases. Seven client-owned horses admitted to the equine rehabilitation service were included in the study. M. multifidus CSA was measured via ultrasonography at the start of a rehabilitation program (initial evaluation) and after 12 weeks of rehabilitation exercises (final evaluation). Postural sway data were also measured at initial and final evaluation. A significant increase in m. multifidus CSA was seen from initial to final evaluation. A moderate to strong correlation was present between m. multifidus CSA and postural sway variables. These results suggest that there is an association between postural stability and m. multifidus hypertrophy in lame horses undergoing individualized rehabilitation programs. However, more research is needed to provide a definitive answer on the nature of this relationship. Ideally, specific performance tests would better define and examine the relationship in which to guide clinicians in rehabilitation protocol development.
Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2020-04-25 PubMed ID: 32684253DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103108Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research examines the correlation between postural balance and the adjustment of paraspinal muscles in lame horses undergoing rehabilitation. The findings showed a significant increase in the size of the major muscle contributing to posture, the musculus multifidus, following a <a href="/equine-rehabilitation-guide/" title="rehabilitation program. This increase was shown to have a moderate to strong relationship with postural stability in these horses.
Objective of the Study
- The main goal is to find the correlation between the cross-sectional area of the musculus multifidus, a primary postural muscle, and measures of postural sway performance in rehabilitative clinical cases of lame horses.
Methodology of the Research
- The study consists only of seven horses, which were admitted to the equine rehabilitation service.
- A measurement of the musculus multifidus cross-sectional area was taken using ultrasonography at the beginning of the rehabilitation exercise program and again after 12 weeks.
- Postural sway measurements were taken at the same time using objective measures to start and end the rehabilitation process.
Results from the Study
- The muscle’s area showed a significant increase between the beginning and end of the 12-week rehabilitation program.
- The change in the muscle’s area showed a moderate to strong correlation with postural sway measurements.
Conclusion and Future Directions
- The study suggests that postural stability in lame horses is associated with hypertrophy, or increased size, of the musculus multifidus muscle during rehabilitation.
- More research is required to more definitively understand the nature of this relationship. Ideally, future research should involve performance tests that would provide more precise understanding of this correlation.
- The findings could help vets devise more effective rehabilitation protocols for horses experiencing lameness.
Cite This Article
APA
Ellis KL, King MR.
(2020).
Relationship Between Postural Stability and Paraspinal Muscle Adaptation in Lame Horses Undergoing Rehabilitation.
J Equine Vet Sci, 91, 103108.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103108 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO; College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO; College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. Electronic address: Melissa.King@colostate.edu.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Exercise Therapy / veterinary
- Horses
- Paraspinal Muscles / diagnostic imaging
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Spine
- Ultrasonography
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