Equine Cervical Pain and Dysfunction: Pathology, Diagnosis and Treatment
Melinda R. Story,
Kevin K. Haussler,
Yvette S. Nout-Lomas,
Tawfik A. Aboellail,
Christopher E. Kawcak,
Myra F. Barrett,
David D. Frisbie,
C. Wayne McIlwraith
Affiliations
Melinda R. Story
Orthopaedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Kevin K. Haussler
Orthopaedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Yvette S. Nout-Lomas
Orthopaedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Tawfik A. Aboellail
Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL), Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Christopher E. Kawcak
Orthopaedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Myra F. Barrett
Orthopaedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
David D. Frisbie
Orthopaedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
C. Wayne McIlwraith
Orthopaedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Interest in the cervical spine as a cause of pain or dysfunction is increasingly becoming the focus of many equine practitioners. Many affected horses are presented for poor performance, while others will present with dramatic, sometimes dangerous behavior. Understanding and distinguishing the different types of neck pain is a starting point to comprehending how the clinical presentations can vary so greatly. There are many steps needed to systematically evaluate the various tissues of the cervical spine to determine which components are contributing to cervical pain and dysfunction. Osseous structures, soft tissues and the central and the peripheral nervous system may all play a role in these various clinical presentations. After completing the clinical evaluation, several imaging modalities may be implemented to help determine the underlying pathologic processes. There are multiple treatment options available and each must be carefully chosen for an individual horse. Provided is a synopsis of the current knowledge as to different disease processes that can result in cervical pain and dysfunction, diagnostic approaches and treatment strategies. Improving the knowledge in these areas will ideally help to return horses to a state of well-being that can be maintained over time and through the rigors of their job or athletic endeavors.