Frequency and severity of osteochondrosis in horses with cervical stenotic myelopathy

We compared the frequency and severity of osteochondrosis lesions in young Thoroughbred horses with cervical stenotic myelopathy (CSM) vs that in clinically normal Thoroughbreds of the same age. All lesions of the cervical vertebrae and appendicular skeleton were classified histologically as osteochondrosis or nonosteochondrosis and were measured for severity. Minimal sagittal diameter was significantly smaller in horses with CSM from C2 through C6; no difference was detected at C7. Severity of cervical vertebral osteochondrosis was greater in the horses with CSM, however frequency was not different. Frequency and severity of nonosteochondrosis lesions were not different in cervical vertebrae or appendicular skeleton. Frequency and severity of appendicular skeleton osteochondrosis lesions were both greater in horses with CSM. Osteochondrosis and nonosteochondrosis lesions were more severe on facets at sites of compression than on facets at noncompressed sites in horses with CSM. However, compression was also observed at sites with no articular facet lesions. The association of widespread osteochondrosis and spinal canal narrowing with CSM suggests CSM may represent a systemic failure in the development or maturation of cartilage and bone.