Equine University Clinic, Department/Clinic for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; University Clinic for Swine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton QLD 4343, Australia; Working Group Animal Breeding, Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Natural Resources, Wilhelm Exner Haus, Peter-Jordan-Straße 82, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
Vet J. 2019 Oct;252:105353. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2019.105353. Epub 2019 Aug 7.
Pressure in the atlanto-axial region due to hyperflexion ('rollkur') may influence the development of a nuchal bursa, as adventitious bursae may be caused by pressure. Investigating the pressure between the nuchal ligament and atlas/axis in a flexed position may provide information on the pathogenesis of nuchal bursitis. In this study, ten equine head and neck specimens with one side of the soft tissues over the cervical vertebral spine removed were placed in lateral recumbency on a table in neutral, mildly flexed, and hyperflexed head and neck positions. Angulations of the neck were measured using markers placed on the nuchal ligament and drilled into the skull, vertebrae and withers. In six specimens, the pressure between the nuchal ligament and the atlas and the axis was measured using an inflatable air pouch. Hyperflexion was associated with the highest nuchal ligament length and with the highest pressure values at the site of the nuchal bursa over the atlas (99±24mmHg, more than four times the pressure in the neutral position) and over the axis (77±30mmHg, more than twice the pressure values of the neutral position). Also, over the three head and neck positions, neck flexion angles were highly correlated with pressure values and with nuchal ligament length. This marked increase in pressure at the level of atlas and axis caused by head and neck hyperflexion should be considered during training of horses at risk of, or diagnosed with, nuchal bursitis.
寰枢区因过度前屈（“卷缩”）产生的压力可能会影响项韧带下囊的形成，因为赘生囊可能是由压力引起的。研究在屈曲位置下项韧带和寰椎/枢椎之间的压力可能有助于了解项韧带炎的发病机制。在这项研究中，10 个马的头部和颈部标本的一侧软组织被移除，放置在桌子上的侧卧位，处于中立位、轻度前屈位和过度前屈位。使用标记物测量颈的角度，标记物放置在项韧带和颅骨、椎骨和肩隆上。在 6 个标本中，使用可充气的气袋测量项韧带和寰椎与枢椎之间的压力。过度前屈与项韧带长度最长和项韧带下囊在寰椎上（99±24mmHg，超过中立位的四倍）和枢椎上（77±30mmHg，超过中立位的两倍）的压力值最高有关。此外，在三个头部和颈部位置，颈部屈曲角度与压力值和项韧带长度高度相关。在易患或已诊断为项韧带炎的马进行训练时，应考虑因头部和颈部过度前屈而导致的寰椎和枢椎水平压力的显著增加。
