The treatment of horses with chronic back pain by resecting the summits of the impinging dorsal spinous processes.

This research article describes a surgical procedure used to treat chronic back pain in horses, caused by the impaction of dorsal spines, and evaluates its success and potential complications.

Overview and Objective

• The paper focuses on a surgical intervention attempted on 14 horses experiencing chronic back pain, a condition believed to be due to the impaction and overriding of dorsal spines in the thoracolumbar region.
• The goal of the research is to examine the efficiency of the procedure, which involves the resection (cutting away) of the summits of one or more dorsal spines, in relieving the condition and contributing to the overall well-being of the horses.

Methodology

• The treatment applied involves a surgical technique where the tip (summit) of one or more dorsal spines are removed. This is achieved through a midline division of the supraspinous ligament – the ligament that extends along the tips of the spines on the back of the horses.
• Following the surgical intervention, the horses were given a convalescent period of at least four months to recover.

Results

• All the horses were capable of returning to full work after the recovery period indicating the overall success of the treatment.
• A significant improvement was observed in the form and performance of 12 horses amongst the group.

Complications and Sequelae

• In one case, a post-surgical complication was found where the development of new bone occurred on the edge of a resected spine.
• This issue resulted in pressure on the dorsal spine located immediately towards the tail (caudal) from it.
• A second operation was carried out to remove this newly formed bone growth, after which there were no reported further complications (sequelae).