My 12 y/o trakhner had a bi-level cervical fusion at new bolton 1 month ago. I’m wondering if anyone else’s horse has gone thru this and can share their experience. He is doing well, rehabbing at home, but I’m really curious about what to expect as he heals.
No experience to share, but may I ask what condition this treated? I’m curious as it was mentioned to me after a recent trip there, but I put it on the far, far back burner as I didn’t think we were “there” yet.
wobblers. CVCM. secondary to arthritis compressing spine. I knew that surgery offered him the only chance at painfree life and best chance of him returning to work, not necessarily at previous level. (he’s 3rd level schoolmaster). Without surgery his condition would progress to eventual euthanasia. He was graded 1-1.5 on neuro scale. Very mild. It’s in the early stages that surgery has best chances of success. If you wait until your horse is “there”, it may be too late. It’s a scary decision, because surgery is not at all risk free. 15-20% mortality.
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In humans, the 2 year outcome is about 80% failure with subsequent motion segment kyphosis and need for revision to adjacent levels.
Now, in horses, yes they are quadrupeds, but the cervical vertebra are still high motion segments, I will bet failure rates will be similar as the procedure become more popular, especially since the hardware will be undersized for the necessary loading to enable fusion.
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why do you feel the need to be so very negative? I’m a physician, I understand the risks.
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Because I live in the human spine world doing research in spine procedures and instrumentation failure. Equine spine procedures are the equivalent of where human procedures were 30 years ago when the FDA had to step in and ban spine procedures in the US because the abnormal failure rates of devices and procedures.
This is the reality. These are the facts based on decades of outcomes research. It is not being negative. It is telling you the likely outcome based on what is known.
As a matter of fact I write this as we discuss cervical fusion in a patient in our indications conference.
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And an article with more details about the study if you can’t view the full text
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My 23yr old Selle Francais mare had the basket surgery 22 yrs ago. She had 2 sites that had to be stabilized. I wish I could remember how long her stall rest was until limited turnout, however it went smoothly with no complications. My mare went on to show in the adult amateurs with me and was retired at 17 due to rear suspensory issues. I am glad I made the decision to have the surgery done, even though the odds were explained to me.
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