34th Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Objectives:

The study examines cervical spine stabilisation in horses using facet joint arthrodesis to reduce spinal cord compression in cases of cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (CVSM).

Methods:

Three horses were included in the case series: a two-year-old Friesian, a two-and-a-half-year-old Ardennes, and a three-year-old Romanian Sport horse. The horses were admitted to the clinic with severe ataxia, graded 4 out of 5 on the Mayhew scale, which had progressed despite conservative treatment. CVSM diagnosis was confirmed through myelography, revealing grade II compression in the C3-C4 and C4-C5 vertebral areas. The procedure was performed under sedation and local anaesthesia, using imaging guidance to locate the affected joints. The joint cartilage was removed, and stabilisation was achieved with two 4.5 mm cortical screws on each side of the C3-C4 and C4-C5 segments. After two-layer closure and gauze protection of the surgical site, the neck was immobilised in a cast.

Results:

Within 72 hours, ataxia reduced by one grade, and over the next two weeks, it improved by an additional grade. After two weeks in a sling, the horses demonstrated good coordination when standing, lying down, and moving within the stall.

Conclusions:

The technique proved effective, with recovery rates comparable to other established methods in the literature, offering a viable surgical stabilisation option for horses with CVSM.