Radiographic examination of the equine thoracolumbar spine
Authors: Berner Dagmar
Journal: UK-Vet Equine
Summary
# Radiographic Examination of the Equine Thoracolumbar Spine: Editorial Summary Imaging the equine thoracolumbar spine presents technical difficulties, yet Berner's 2023 review demonstrates that portable radiographic equipment can successfully visualise dorsal spinous processes when horses are positioned with precision and care. Understanding normal spinal anatomy and recognising common radiographic presentations is essential for interpreting these images accurately; however, the research highlights a critical disconnect between imaging findings and clinical reality—radiographic abnormalities appear frequently in asymptomatic horses, whilst many horses displaying genuine back pain show no radiographic changes whatsoever. This dissociation has substantial implications for equine practitioners: radiography should inform rather than drive diagnosis, and clinical examination—including careful palpation, movement assessment, and localisation of pain responses—must remain the diagnostic cornerstone before commencing treatment. Farriers, veterinarians, and physiotherapists should therefore exercise caution in attributing back problems solely to radiographic findings, instead integrating imaging evidence with physical examination findings and the horse's functional presentation to build a complete clinical picture and justify therapeutic intervention.
Read the full abstract on the publisher's site
Practical Takeaways
- •You can obtain useful thoracolumbar radiographs with portable equipment if you position carefully — you don't always need a clinic visit
- •Don't rely on radiographs alone to diagnose back pain; abnormal images are common in sound horses and normal images don't rule out pain
- •Always combine radiographic findings with thorough clinical examination and palpation to localize pain before treating
Key Findings
- •Portable radiographic machines can obtain diagnostic views of dorsal spinous processes with careful positioning
- •Not all horses with clinical back pain signs show radiographic abnormalities
- •Radiographic abnormalities are also present in clinically sound horses, so imaging findings alone do not confirm pain
- •Clinical examination and localization of clinical signs should be the diagnostic gold standard before treatment