Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
3D-printed titanium cervical integrated spacer for C6-C7 fusion in a horse with discospondylitis.
- Journal:
- Veterinary surgery : VS
- Year:
- 2025
- Authors:
- Vercherin, Anouk et al.
- Affiliation:
- Equine Clinic of Grosbois · France
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 4-year-old gelding horse, weighing about 540 kg, had been having trouble walking for 14 months, which got worse over time. After tests showed he had a serious infection in his spine called discospondylitis, which was pressing on his spinal cord, the veterinarians decided to perform surgery to stabilize his spine. They used a special 3D-printed titanium spacer to help hold the vertebrae in place. Sixteen months later, follow-up X-rays showed that the spacer was still stable and the horse's spine was aligned properly, and he was walking much better with only slight issues in his front legs. Overall, the 3D-printed spacer seems to be an effective solution for this type of spinal problem in horses.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe a distraction-stabilization technique using a three dimensional (3D)-printed titanium cervical integrated spacer (CIS) in a horse with a C6-C7 severe discospondylitis. ANIMAL: A 4-year-old 540 kg Sächsisch-Thüringisches Schweres Warmblut gelding. STUDY DESIGN: Single case report. METHODS: A 4-year-old Schweres Warmblut gelding with a 14-month history of gait abnormalities, progressing to grade 3/5 ataxia on the Mayhew scale, was diagnosed via radiography and computed tomography with severe discospondylitis and significant spinal cord compression at C6-C7. A surgical arthrodesis was elected. Under radiographic control, a CIS was placed using a 3D-printed instrument set. RESULTS: At 16 months, radiographs, confirmed implant stability, maintained vertebral alignment and successful fusion. Gait evaluation showed no overt ataxia and only mild thoracic limb dysmetria. CONCLUSION: 3D-printed CIS appears a promising implant for stabilizing equine caudal vertebrae (C6-C7).
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40600422/