Symposium on back problems in the horse. (2) The diagnosis of diseases of the horse’s back.
Abstract: A description of some of the clinical features of low back pain in the horse has been given and a number of methods for assisting diagnosis considered. As well as a complete clinical examination both at rest and during exercise, a useful diagnostic aid in some chronic cases was the injection of local anaesthetic into the interspinous spaces. A laboratory examination, including haematological and biochemical profiles, was undertaken in all cases. The serum enzymes GOT and CPK were particularly valuable as an aid to diagnosis in atypical tying-up. A technique for radiography of the vertebral column of the mid back in the standing position and of the pelvic and sacroiliac regions of the anaesthetised horse was described using a Siemens Triplex Optimatic 1023 machine. Some of the radiological features of the vertebral column were considered and a breakdown of the diagnosis of 110 referred back cases. The most important conditions included muscle strain, crowding and overriding of the dorsal spinous processes in the mid back, spondylosis, undue curvature of the spine and vertebral fractures.
Publication Date: 1975-04-01 PubMed ID: 124654DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1975.tb03234.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article explores diagnostic methods for identifying diseases affecting a horse’s back, specifically low back pain. It covers techniques such as complete clinical examination, anesthesia in chronic cases, and laboratory examinations, as well as taking radiographs using specialized equipment.
Abstract Overview
The article sheds light on the diagnosis of diseases related to a horse’s back, with a specific focus on low back pain. Some diagnostic methods discussed include a thorough clinical examination at rest and during exercise, local anesthetic injections for chronic cases, and laboratory tests including hematological and biochemical profiles.
Clinical Examination
- The authors emphasize the importance of comprehensive clinical examination both when the horse is at rest and during exercise. This approach can provide precise insights that support proper diagnosis.
Diagnostic Aid in Chronic Cases
- In instances of chronic back pain, the injection of local anesthetics into the space between the spines (interspinous spaces) was found to be a beneficial diagnostic aid.
Laboratory Examination
- All cases in this study underwent laboratory examination that involved hematological and biochemical profiles.
- Special attention was given to serum enzymes like glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK), as they were identified as particularly valuable for diagnosis in cases involving atypical tying-up, a type of muscle disorder in horses.
Radiography Technique
- Researchers described a specific technique for radiography of the vertebral column, specifically in the mid back region, while the horse is standing. There was also a process described for the pelvic and sacroiliac regions while the horse is under anesthesia. This was done using a Siemens Triplex Optimatic 1023 machine.
- They examined various radiological features of the vertebral column and shared a breakdown of the diagnoses of 110 referred back cases.
Key Diagnoses
- Some prevalent conditions listed were muscle strain, crowding and overriding of the dorsal spinous processes in the mid back, and spondylosis – a degenerative disorder causing loss of normal spinal structure and function.
- The paper also identifies undue curvature of the spine and vertebral fractures as significant conditions.
Cite This Article
APA
Jeffcott LB.
(1975).
Symposium on back problems in the horse. (2) The diagnosis of diseases of the horse’s back.
Equine Vet J, 7(2), 69-78.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1975.tb03234.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Anesthesia, Local / veterinary
- Animals
- Aspartate Aminotransferases / blood
- Back
- Back Pain / veterinary
- Brucellosis / veterinary
- Creatine Kinase / blood
- Fractures, Bone / veterinary
- Hematocrit
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horses
- Lordosis / veterinary
- Physical Examination
- Physical Exertion
- Radiography
- Rest
- Sacroiliac Joint / injuries
- Scoliosis / veterinary
- Spinal Osteophytosis / veterinary
- Sprains and Strains / veterinary
- Technology, Radiologic
- Thoracic Vertebrae / injuries
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Pilati N, Pressanto MC, Palumbo Piccionello A, De Angelis Corvi F, Beccati F. Impinging and Overriding Spinous Processes in Horses: A Narrative Review. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 13;15(18).
- Geiger T, Lindenhahn L, Delarocque J, Geburek F. Evaluation of water treadmill training, lunging and treadmill training in the rehabilitation of horses with back pain. BMC Vet Res 2025 Jul 29;21(1):495.
- Guedes JRB, Vendruscolo CP, Tokawa PKA, Carvalho AM, Johnson PJ, Faleiros RR. The Detection of Thoracolumbar Spine Injuries in Horses with Chronic Laminitis Using a Novel Clinical-Assessment Protocol and Ultrasonographic Examination. Animals (Basel) 2024 Apr 30;14(9).
- Scilimati N, Angeli G, Di Meo A, Dall'Aglio C, Pepe M, Beccati F. Post-Mortem Computed Tomographic Features of the Most Caudal Lumbar Vertebrae, Anatomical Variations and Acquired Osseous Pathological Changes, in a Mixed Population of Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 19;13(4).
- Lange CD, Axiak Flammer S, Gerber V, Kindt D, Koch C. Complementary and alternative medicine for the management of orthopaedic problems in Swiss Warmblood horses. Vet Med Sci 2017 Aug;3(3):125-133.
- Henson FM, Lamas L, Knezevic S, Jeffcott LB. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the supraspinous ligament in a series of ridden and unridden horses and horses with unrelated back pathology. BMC Vet Res 2007 Mar 1;3:3.
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