Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38934728›Full record

ArticleEquine veterinary journal2025

Influence of surgical intervention at the level of the dorsal spinous processes on the biomechanics of the equine thoracolumbar spine.

Natalie Baudisch, Ellen Singer, Katharina Charlotte Jensen, Fabienne Eichler, Henning Jürgen Meyer, Christoph Lischer, Anna Ehrle

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Equine veterinary journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Natalie BaudischEquine Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Hospital Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0058-5944
Ellen SingerSussex Equine Hospital, Ashington, West Sussex, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6223-9365
Katharina Charlotte JensenInstitute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Fabienne EichlerEquine Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Hospital Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Henning Jürgen MeyerMechanical Engineering and Transport Systems, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Christoph LischerEquine Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Hospital Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Anna EhrleEquine Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Hospital Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

Funding

Open Access Publication Fund of the Freie Universität BerlinVerein zur Förderung der Forschung im Pferdesport e.V
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSurgical treatment options for horses with overriding dorsal spinous processes include interspinous ligament desmotomy and partial spinous process ostectomy. The impact of spinal surgery on the three-dimensional biomechanics of the equine thoracolumbar spine and the epaxial musculature is unclear.

objectivesTo investigate the influence of interspinous ligament desmotomy and cranial wedge ostectomy on the biomechanics of the equine thoracolumbar spine and the paraspinal Musculi multifidi. STUDY

designEx-vivo experiments.

methodsTwelve equine thoracolumbar spine specimens were mounted in a custom-made mechanical test rig. Based on computed tomographic imaging, distances between dorsal spinous processes and the spinal range of motion (lateral bending, axial rotation, flexion, extension) were compared before and after desmotomy and cranial wedge ostectomy performed at two or five surgical sites. Anatomical dissection was subsequently conducted to document surgical trauma to the Musculi multifidi following desmotomy.

resultsThe distance between spinous processes in neutral position did not increase significantly after desmotomy (median preoperative = 7.2 mm, interquartile range [IQR] = 3.6 mm; median postoperative = 7.4 mm, IQR = 3.7 mm; p = 0.09), but increased significantly after ostectomy (median preoperative = 8.8 mm, IQR = 4.2 mm; median postoperative = 13 mm, IQR = 6.1 mm; p < 0.001). Both surgical procedures significantly increased the rotational spinal range of motion (p = 0.001), particularly at the level T14/T15 (median preoperative = 6.4°, IQR = 3.2°; median postoperative = 8.2°, IQR = 3.5°; increase = 28.1%; p = 0.02). Musculi multifidi injury was evident at all desmotomy sites. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Ex-vivo study with limited sample size.

conclusionsNeither interspinous ligament desmotomy nor cranial wedge ostectomy resulted in an increased range of motion during flexion, extension or lateral bending but both procedures influenced the rotational component of the equine thoracolumbar spinal mobility.

Indexed as

Lumbar VertebraeThoracic VertebraeAnimalsBiomechanical PhenomenaHorsesRange of Motion, Articularbiomechanicsdesmotomydorsal spinous processhorsemultifidusostectomy

Identifiers

PMID38934728
PMCPMC11807938

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.