The neck is an essential part of the horse locomotor system. Movements of the neck are required for the horse's longitudinal and lateral balance, as well as acceleration and deceleration. Lesions of the cervical spine can be responsible for neck pain,neck stiffness, back stiffness, poor performance, forelimb lameness and, in some cases, for peripheral or central neurological manifestations. In most cases, a careful clinical examination is required to identify subtle manifestations which can be correlated to bone or soft-tissue injuries of the cervical vertebral column. The routine diagnostic imaging approach of these injuries consists in the combination of radiography and ultrasonography. Cross-sectional imaging, such as CT scan or MRI, improves 3Drepresentation of the anatomical relationships between bone and intervertebral joints, soft-tissue structures and the central and peripheral nervous system. The presentation will consist in a review of anatomy and biomechanics of the neck and a selection of didactic clinical cases illustrated by videos of the dynamic examination. Diagnosis will be supported by radiographs and ultrasound pictures as well as outcome after specific treatments.
展开▼
