26/09/2023
another beautiful x-ray of the thoracolumbar region 📸
s.simoes images of our students' ( ) beautiful studies ♥️
Pathophysiology
📸Short backed horses may have crowding of the normal number of spinous processes.
📸Overriding spinous processes can also arise when the back undergoes excessive dorsi-flexion, eg as potentially occurs in jumping horses, or spinal maneuvres, eg as occurs in high quality dressage horses. 📸However, biomechanical studies have shown no evidence for increased movement in the T13-T18 region compared to other parts of the thoracolumbar spine and so this explanation may not be correct.
📸Another hypothesis is that the weight of a saddle and rider causes a downward force on the T13-T18 area, consequently forcing the spinous processes in this region to become close together. However, overriding spinous processes have been described in unbroken/unridden horses and horses that compete in athletic but non-ridden disciplines (driving, trotting races).
📸Most commonly seen between T13-T18.
📸Often painless false joints ( formation) form between impinging spinous processes in those animals showing no clinical signs.