Page 819 - Adams and Stashak's Lameness in Horses, 7th Edition

Lameness Associated with the Axial Skeleton 785

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Figure 6.30. Scintigraphic image showing IRU in the dorsal processes of the caudal thoracic spine, visible on lateral views and a dorsal
view. This horse was a 13‐year‐old show jumper with an international Grand Prix career that had no major clinical problems.

radiological signs of impingement were found in com- severe cases, prognosis for a return to the original work
pletely sound horses. The most important factor in level after months of rehabilitation seems to be better
determining the prognosis for impingement of the when resection is performed than when surgery is not
spinous processes is the complete diagnosis. When liga- performed. 14,27
mentous structures are involved (e.g., supraspinous liga-
ment, intraspinous ligament, ventral longitudinal
ligament), the prognosis for a quick recovery to the orig- SUPRASPINOUS LIGAMENT INJURIES
inal workload is less favorable than when just osseous
changes are seen on radiographs. When there are adja- Injuries of the supraspinous ligament are most com-
7
cent pathologic conditions in the intervertebral disc or mon between T15 and L3. They can be associated with
the facet joints, prognosis is also less favorable. For more localized thickening and pain.