## Overview Cervical facet joint osteoarthritis is degeneration of the synovial articulations between the articular processes of the cervical vertebrae. Radiographic changes are common even in clinically normal horses, so diagnosis requires correlation with clinical signs such as neck stiffness, muscle atrophy, or forelimb lameness that is not abolished by distal limb blocks. The caudal cervical joints are most often affected. ## Causes Repetitive loading, conformational factors, and prior trauma contribute. The condition is frequently bilateral and multi-level. ## Diagnosis Clinical signs plus radiographic or ultrasonographic evidence of osteophytes and joint remodeling support the diagnosis. Nuclear scintigraphy may show increased uptake. Intra-articular analgesia can confirm clinical relevance. ## Treatment Ultrasound-guided intra-articular corticosteroid injections are the most common intervention and allow many horses to return to work. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy, and workload modification are adjuncts. ## Recovery and Prognosis Most treated horses improve sufficiently for athletic use, at least temporarily. The condition is progressive, so repeat injections or management changes are often needed. ## Prevention No specific prevention is proven. Sensible training and early attention to neck stiffness may slow clinical expression.
neck stiffness; resistance to bending; muscle atrophy over the neck; forelimb lameness not abolished by lower-limb blocks; reduced performance
## Overview Cervical facet joint osteoarthritis is degeneration of the synovial articulations between the articular processes of the cervical vertebrae. Radiographic changes are common even in clinically normal horses, so diagnosis requires correlation with clinical signs such as neck stiffness, muscle atrophy, or forelimb lameness that is not abolished by distal limb blocks. The caudal cervical joints are most often affected. ## Causes Repetitive loading, conformational factors, and prior trauma contribute. The condition is frequently bilateral and multi-level. ## Diagnosis Clinical signs plus radiographic or ultrasonographic evidence of osteophytes and joint remodeling support the diagnosis. Nuclear scintigraphy may show increased uptake. Intra-articular analgesia can confirm clinical relevance. ## Treatment Ultrasound-guided intra-articular corticosteroid injections are the most common intervention and allow many horses to return to work. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy, and workload modification are adjuncts. ## Recovery and Prognosis Most treated horses improve sufficiently for athletic use, at least temporarily. The condition is progressive, so repeat injections or management changes are often needed. ## Prevention No specific prevention is proven. Sensible training and early attention to neck stiffness may slow clinical expression.
neck stiffness; resistance to bending; muscle atrophy over the neck; forelimb lameness not abolished by lower-limb blocks; reduced performance