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Frontiers in veterinary science2018; 5; 195; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00195

Two Multicenter Surveys on Equine Back-Pain 10 Years a Part.

Abstract: Despite back-pain being a common cause of poor performance in sport horses, a tailored diagnostic workflow and a consolidated therapeutic approach are currently lacking in equine medicine. The aim of the study was to assess the evolution in the veterinarian approach to diagnose and treat back-pain over a 10 years period. To investigate this topic, two surveys were addressed to equine veterinarians working in practice throughout Europe 10 years apart (2006 and 2016). The answers were organized in an Excel dataset and analyzed. There were 47 respondents in 2006 and 168 in 2016, from 8 European Countries. The main reasons for examining horses with back-pain were poor performance (76%), behavioral issues (68%), and lameness (50%). When assessing back pain, 97% of respondents applied careful digital pressure over paravertebral muscles, 90% of them used digital back mobilization, and 69% was detecting areas of localized heat. The use of diagnostic analgesia to confirm the source of pain was rarely employed. Radiography and ultrasonography were the most frequent diagnostic imaging modalities used to investigate the causes of back-pain in both surveys. Obtaining a definitive diagnosis in horses with back-pain is considered challenging due to the reduced accessibility of the area and the variability in the pain manifestations. Corticosteroids injections were used for local treatments by 80% of respondents in 2006 and 92% in 2016. Recently, ultrasonography has been extensively used during the injections of the vertebral articular facets and sacroiliac joints region. The use of complementary therapies was restricted to a low percentage of respondents in the first survey (20%) but it increased over the decade. In 2016, a wider percentage of respondents considered osteopathy (40%), kinesiotherapy (29%), and acupuncture (22%) when treating back disorders compared to 2006. The structural differences of the two surveys did not enable a direct data comparison. Based on the results of this surveys, however, veterinarians should be sensitized to the back-pain problems and seek to integrate findings from clinical research studies in their daily practice.
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Publication Date: 2018-08-23 PubMed ID: 30191152PubMed Central: PMC6115529DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00195Google 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 article discusses a study that looks at changes in diagnostic and treatment approaches for equine back-pain over a 10-year period, based on surveys given to equine veterinarians across Europe in 2006 and 2016.

Objective of the Study

  • The main aim of this research was to examine differences over time in terms of how equine back-pain was diagnosed and managed by veterinarians.
  • This understanding would provide a snapshot of practice trends and potentially identify areas where further professional development or research is needed.

Methodology

  • The researchers conducted two separate surveys in 2006 and 2016, targeting equine veterinarians based across Europe.
  • The number of respondents increased from 47 in 2006 to 168 in 2016, giving a broader cross-section of perspectives in the latter survey.

Key Findings

  • Main reasons for examining horses for back-pain included poor performance, behavioral problems, and lameness.
  • Most vets used digital pressure and back mobilization to assess back pain, with smaller numbers using heat detection.
  • Diagnostic analgesia, a method for identifying the source of pain, was rarely used.
  • Radiography and ultrasonography were the primary diagnostic tools enlisted by both surveys’ respondents.
  • The use of corticosteroids for local treatment increased slightly between 2006 and 2016.
  • In recent years, ultrasonography found favour for injecting corticosteroids into specific areas.

Emerging Trends

  • The utilization of alternative therapies such as osteopathy, kinesiotherapy, and acupuncture seems to be on the rise.
  • Despite this increased level of interest, these methods remained less mainstream than traditional forms of treatment.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • The researchers concluded that despite some limitations in the study design, the results provide valuable insights into back-pain management in sport horses.
  • The study emphasises the need for veterinarians to remain vigilant about back-pain issues and integrate findings from clinical research in their daily practice.

Cite This Article

APA
Riccio B, Fraschetto C, Villanueva J, Cantatore F, Bertuglia A. (2018). Two Multicenter Surveys on Equine Back-Pain 10 Years a Part. Front Vet Sci, 5, 195. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2018.00195

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 5
Pages: 195

Researcher Affiliations

Riccio, Barbara
  • Private Practitioner, Turin, Italy.
Fraschetto, Claudia
  • Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy.
Villanueva, Justine
  • Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy.
Cantatore, Federica
  • Pool House Equine Clinic, Lichfield, United Kingdom.
Bertuglia, Andrea
  • Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy.

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Citations

This article has been cited 14 times.
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