Claudia de Secondi, Federica Cantatore, Marco Marcatili, Marianna Biggi, Jonathan Withers, Donatella de Zani, Davide Zani
BACKGROUND: back pain is a debilitating condition hampering Horses' athletic careers. Thoracic Spondylosis (TS), a known cause of back pain, leads to osteophytes formation across intervertebral joints. In Horses, TS is poorly reported, with anecdotal signs and response to treatment.
OBJECTIVES: To report clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging findings, treatment and outcome in Horses with TS.
METHODS: The clinical records of Horses diagnosed with TS between 2010 and 2023 were reviewed. Signalment, clinical and imaging findings, treatment, and outcome were analysed. Thoracic Spondylosis was graded from 1 to 5. Grades, concurrent pathologies, treatment, and outcome were assessed. The median TS grade and number of lesions and outcome were compared using the Mann-Whitney test.
RESULTS: Thirteen Horses met inclusion criteria, eight of which performed a discipline involving jumping. All Horses exhibited signs consistent with back pain. Thoracic Spondylosis sites varied from 1 to 6 (mean 2) with a total of 32 lesions. The most affected site was T13-T14. Five Horses had concurrent dorsal spinous processes impingement and three were lame. Treatment included physiotherapy, tiludronate, anti-inflammatory and extracorporeal shockwave therapy. Long-term follow-up (>12 months) was available for 11 Horses: the outcome was poor in seven Horses, good in one and excellent in three. No statistically significant association was found between TS grade (p = 0.4), number of lesions (p = 0.2) and outcome categories.
CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, TS can cause back pain. The outcome is generally poor, but some Horses may continue athletic activity despite severe lesions.
