Facet joints - cervical and thoraco-lumbar

  • Cervical facet joints - anatomy and diagnostic/therapeutic techniques
  • Thoraco-lumbar facet joints - anatomy and diagnostic/therapeutic techniques
  • Synovial folds in equine cervical facet joints

Vertebral facet joints - anatomy and diagnostic / therapeutic techniques


Aim: To establish the ultrasonographic appearance of equine vertebral facet joints, and to evaluate factors that may affect accuracy of ultrasound-guided intra-articular injections in these joints.

Short description: The facet joints are formed by articular processes of two connecting vertebraes. They are a potential site of injury and soreness both in horses and people. Ultrasound-guided intra-articular injections are a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic tool, but there was a lack of scientific literature on the ultrasonographic appearance of the joints and factors affecting the accuracy of ultrasound-guided intra-articular injections. So far this project has resulted in three publications - two on the anatomy and accuracy of injections in the cervical region, and one on factors affecting accuracy of injections in the thoraco-lumbar region.

Main investigators: Lise C. Berg, Jon Vedding Nielsen, Vibeke Fuglbjerg
Collaborator: Preben D. Thomsen

Publications:
Accuracy of ultrasound-guided injections of thoracolumbar articular process joints in horses: a cadaveric study. Fuglbjerg V, Nielsen JV, Thomsen PD, Berg LC. Equine Vet J. 2010 Jan;42(1):18-22. PubMed

Ultrasonography of the equine cervical region: a descriptive study in eight horses. Berg LC, Nielsen JV, Thoefnert MB, Thomsen PD. Equine Vet J. 2003 Nov;35(7):647-55. PubMed

Accuracy of ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection of cervical facet joints in horses: a cadaveric study. Nielsen JV, Berg LC, Thoefnert MB, Thomsen PD. Equine Vet J. 2003 Nov;35(7):657-61. PubMed

Synovial folds in the equine cervical facet joints


Aim: To investigate the size and histology of synovial folds in equine cervical facet joints and the possible presence of nerve fibers in these folds.

Short description: In this study synovial folds in equine cervical facet joints are investigated. The synovial folds are meassured in situ, and then fixed in paraformaldehyde. The folds are stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin to describe their histologic appearance. Immunohistochemistry is used to study the possible presence of nociceptive nervous fibers in the folds, by using monoclonal antibodies against beta-III-tubulin, Substance P and Calcitonin gene related peptide.

Main investigator: Line N. Thomsen
Collaborators: Lise C. Berg, Preben D. Thomsen

Publication:
L. N. Thomsen, L. C. Berg, B. Markussen and P. D. Thomsen (2012) Synovial folds in equine cervical facet joints. Equine Veterinary Journal 45(4):448-53. PubMed