Todayโs path rounds are on ๐ค๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐! Cause itโs Valentineโs Day 
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ is more accurately known as ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ฅ ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ. This is a big long term that basically means the dorsal spinous processes, the long bones sticking out of the top of the vertebrae, begin to contact each other. This can be very painful!
๐๐ก๐จ ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
We most commonly see this in horses!
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
The exact cause of kissing spine is unknown, however it is considered to be an ๐๐๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง (develops after birth) that may be related to poor saddle fit or improper training. Specifically, horses that tend to carry themselves with their head up and their back dropped and hollow seem to be predisposed to the condition. It is also possible that there are genetic factors at play, however this has not been confirmed.
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ?
As mentioned, having your spinal processes grinding up against one another is not a very fun time. Typically, this causes mild, low-grade pain for the horse, which can be very difficult to diagnose. These horses may buck, rear, toss their heads or kick out under saddle, may have issues with maintaining their gaits, and often have a back that is sore to the touch. In some severe cases, there may even be signs of lameness.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ฌ๐๐?
Kissing spine is diagnosed through X-rays, showing the spinous processes being too close together. Ultrasound or bone scans may also be used to identify particularly problematic areas.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐๐?
Treatment for kissing spine can be either medical or surgical. Medical treatment involves pain medication and physical therapy to encourage the horse to reach forward and downward and lift their back, to bring the spinous processes further apart. It may also involve injection of anti-inflammatory medications into the area to help reduce or prevent inflammation and pain.
In severe cases, surgical treatment might be needed. The main surgical treatment complete is ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฆ๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ฆ๐ฒ, where the ligament that runs between each of the dorsal spinous processes is cut. This allows more movement between the spinous processes, which can prevent them from interfering with each other. However, this also makes the spine quite unstable, so may cause future issues down the road.
๐๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ฌ
1) An X-ray showing the spinous processes coming too close for comfort!
2-3) A before and after X-ray of a horse that had an interspinonus ligament desmotomy.
4-5) Examples of kissing spine as seen at necropsy.
๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ
Young A. Kissing Spines. UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Center for Equine Health Health Topics 2019.
Garcia-Lopez JM. Surgical Management of Impinging or Overriding Dorsal Spinous Processes. Cummings School New Center 2019.
Claytom HM, Stubbs NC. Enthesophytosis and Impingement of the Dorsal Spinous Processes in the Equine Thoracolumbar Spine. Journal of Equine Veteirnary Science 2016; 47:9-15.
Turner TA. Overriding Spinous Processes (โKissing Spinesโ) in Horses: Diagnosis, Treatment and Outcome in 212 Cases. Wound and Orthopedic Management AAEP Proceedings 2011;57.
Photo 1 ยฉ Tracy A. Turner.
Photos 2-3 ยฉ Josรฉ M. Garcia-Lopez.
Photos 4-5 ยฉ Hilary M. Clayton and Narelle C. Stubbs.
