Correlation between cervical clinical changes and morphological variations in articular processes joints detected by ultrasonographic examination in jumping and dressage horses

• Grant number: 20/09432-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2021
• End date: November 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Clinics and Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Raquel Yvonne Arantes Baccarin
• Grantee: Paula Keiko Anadão Tokawa
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

A high prevalence of osseous changes in the articular process joints (APJs) of the cervical column of horses was identified in cadaveric studies, however, the clinical relevance of such changes has been questioned. The ultrasonographic examination is highly accessible for veterinarians and allows the identification of the osseous borders of the APJs as well as changes in its adjacent soft tissues. The aim of this study is to identify the relationship between the presence of changes in the APJs of the cervical column of sports horses found at ultrasound imaging with the presence of clinical signs. Athletic horses with muscle atrophies, painful response to palpation of neck, reduced cervical mobility and obscure lameness of forelimbs will be identified over a period of 12 months. The ultrasonographic examination of the C2 to T1 APJs will be performed in the included animals and the relationship between the magnitude of the ultrasonographic and clinical signs will be stablished. This study hypothesizes that changes in the APJs found at ultrasonographic examination has a high correlation with changes identified at clinical examination of the cervical column of jumping and dressage horses.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

TOKAWA, Paula Keiko Anadão. Correlation between clinical changes of the cervical column and morphological variation of the articular process joints found in ultrasonographic assessment of showjumping and dressage horses. 2023. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD) São Paulo.