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Veterinary surgery : VS2021; 51(1); 173-181; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13744

Surgical removal of intra-articular loose bodies from the cervical articular process joints in 5 horses.

Abstract: To describe the surgical removal of intra-articular loose bodies (LBs) from the cervical articular process joints (APJs) in five horses and to describe the outcome of the surgery. Methods: Short case series. Methods: Five client-owned horses with naturally occurring LBs within the cervical APJs. Methods: Medical records were reviewed of horses that were diagnosed with LBs of the cervical APJs on computed tomography (CT), where the LBs were subsequently removed surgically. Details of case selection and surgical technique were reviewed along with postoperative complications and clinical outcome. Histopathology was performed on LBs in some cases. Results: Surgery was performed on six APJs in five horses. Of the 14 LBs identified with CT, 13 were successfully removed from the C4/C5, C5/C6 and C6/C7 articulations. No surgical complications were encountered, and clinical signs of cervical dysfunction improved in all horses. All clinical cases returned to ridden work by 6 months post surgery. Histopathologic examination revealed the removed structures to be osteochondral or chondral loose bodies consisting of cartilaginous proliferation with or without ossification and central necrosis. Conclusions: Surgical removal of LBs is achievable from the cervical APJs and can result in the resolution of cervical pain. This procedure offers a new treatment option for management of selected horses with cervical pain, following thorough assessment and CT imaging.
© 2021 American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2021-11-17 PubMed ID: 34791668DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13744Google 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.

This study discusses the method and outcomes of surgically removing loose bodies, abnormal fragments of bone or cartilage, from the neck joints of five horses. It concludes that this procedure is a viable treatment option for selected horses suffering from neck pain, provided there is a thorough assessment and CT imaging.

Study Methods and Case Selection

  • The study employed a short case series methodology. The subjects of the study were five client-owned horses naturally exhibiting loose bodies within their neck joints.
  • Patient histories were examined, specifically focusing on horses diagnosed with loose bodies in their neck joints through computed tomography (CT) scanning.
  • The loose bodies, having been identified through the CT scans, were surgically removed in a subsequent procedure.
  • The research examined the methods of surgery used and the criteria for selecting cases, together with post-surgery complications and overall clinical outcomes.
  • In some instances, a histopathological examination was performed on the removed loose bodies.

Study Results

  • A total of six neck joints from the five horses were operated on. Out of the 14 loose bodies that were identified through CT scans, 13 were successfully removed from the neck joints designated as C4/C5, C5/C6, and C6/C7.
  • No complications were encountered during surgery, showing the procedure to be safe.
  • Post-operation, all horses showed improvement in the clinical signs of neck dysfunction used to measure their health outcome.
  • All cases returned to ridden work within six months post-surgery, indicating successful rehabilitation and recovery.
  • Upon histopathological examination, the removed loose bodies were identified as osteochondral or chondral structures (forms of bone and cartilage in joints), typically observed in conditions of abnormal joint condition. These structures had cartilaginous proliferation, with or without ossification, and central necrosis.

Study Conclusions

  • The research concluded that it is feasible to surgically remove loose bodies from the neck joints of horses.
  • This method of removal can lead to resolution of neck pain, improving the overall wellbeing of the horse.
  • As this method has been shown to be successful in these cases, it offers a new treatment option for horses suffering from neck pain, given that they are correctly assessed and CT imaging is performed prior to the procedure.

Cite This Article

APA
Tucker R, Parker RA, Meredith LE, Hughes TK, Foote AK. (2021). Surgical removal of intra-articular loose bodies from the cervical articular process joints in 5 horses. Vet Surg, 51(1), 173-181. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13744

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 51
Issue: 1
Pages: 173-181

Researcher Affiliations

Tucker, Rachel
  • Liphook Equine Hospital, Liphook, UK.
Parker, Russell A
  • Liphook Equine Hospital, Liphook, UK.
Meredith, Lauren E
  • Liphook Equine Hospital, Liphook, UK.
Hughes, Thomas K
  • Liphook Equine Hospital, Liphook, UK.
Foote, Alastair K
  • Rossdales Laboratories, Newmarket, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cervical Vertebrae / surgery
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horses
  • Joints
  • Neck
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary

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This article includes 29 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Dyson S, Phillips K, Zheng S, Aleman M. Congenital variants of the ventral laminae of the sixth and seventh cervical vertebrae are not associated with clinical signs or other radiological abnormalities of the cervicothoracic region in Warmblood horses. Equine Vet J 2025 Mar;57(2):419-430.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14127pubmed: 38938125google scholar: lookup
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