Neck lesions as a cause of lameness or poor performance

Lesions of the neck are an uncommon primary cause of pain resulting in either lameness or poor performance, but should be considered if local analgesic techniques of the limbs fail to abolish lameness or if there are clinical signs directly referable to the neck such as pain, abnormal neck posture, stiffness or patchy sweating. Accurate diagnosis requires careful clinical examination, exclusion of other causes of lameness or poor performance and accurate interpretation of diagnostic imaging findings. Primary brachiocephalicus pain at the base of the neck has been seen in performance horses, causing subtle gait abnormalities at the walk when ridden, characterised by abnormal lifting of the neck as the limb was advanced and a shortened cranial phase of the step ipsilateral to the sore muscle. Lameness may also be seen in trot when performing lateral work, such as half-pass in the direction away from the lame limb. Bilateral brachiocephalicus muscle pain has also been seen in association with throwing up of the head when in the air over a fence and on landing. Treatment of the sore muscles abolished this behaviour ...