Pathologic changes in the lumbosacral vertebrae and pelvis in Thoroughbred racehorses.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the prevalence, characteristics, and severity of soft-tissue and osseous lesions in the caudal portion of the thoracic and lumbosacral vertebral column and pelvis in Thoroughbred racehorses.


METHODS
36 Thoroughbred racehorses that died or were euthanatized at California racetracks between October 1993 and July 1994.


METHODS
Lumbosacral and pelvic specimens were collected and visually examined for soft-tissue and osseous lesions.


RESULTS
Acute sacroiliac joint injury was observed in 2 specimens. Signs of chronic laxity or subluxation of the sacroiliac joint were not observed in any specimens. Impingement of the dorsal spinous processes and transverse processes was observed in 92 and 97% of specimens, respectively. Thoracolumbar articular processes had variable degrees of degenerative change in 97% of specimens. Degenerative changes were observed at lumbar intertransverse joints and sacroiliac articulations in all specimens. Some degenerative changes were widespread and severe.


CONCLUSIONS
Numerous degenerative changes affected vertebral processes, intervertebral articulations, and sacroiliac joints in these Thoroughbred racehorses.


CONCLUSIONS
Various types of vertebral and pelvic lesions need to be considered during clinical evaluation of the back and pelvis in horses. Undiagnosed vertebral or pelvic lesions could be an important contributor to poor performance and lameness in athletic horses.
Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
K K
KK
Haussler
S M
SM
Stover
N H
NH
Willits
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006736:Horses; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D010388:Pelvis / Q000473:pathology; D015995:Prevalence; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D012446:Sacroiliac Joint / Q000473:pathology; D012447:Sacrum / Q000473:pathology*; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013177:Sports; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*