Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Surgery outcomes for dogs with degenerative lumbosacral stenosis
By Inness, Philip R et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2021·University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Sydney, Australia·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Distraction Stabilization of Degenerative Lumbosacral Stenosis: Technique and Mid- to Long-Term Outcome in 30 Cases.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with degenerative lumbosacral stenosis, a condition causing pain and mobility issues, underwent a complex surgery involving the removal of parts of the spine and stabilization with pins. After the surgery, 18 out of 21 dogs showed significant improvement in their pain levels and ability to move. The surgery also successfully increased the space around the spinal nerves, which is crucial for reducing discomfort. While there were some serious complications in a few dogs, the overall outcome was positive, with many pets feeling better and moving more comfortably after the procedure.
People also search for: dog back pain surgery · lumbosacral stenosis treatment dogs · dog mobility improvement after surgery
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:  To describe the dorsal laminectomy, annulectomy and distraction stabilization with pins and polymethylmethacrylate technique, its complications and outcome in the management of canine degenerative lumbosacral stenosis. To determine pre- and post-surgical foraminal width and vertebral step changes. STUDY DESIGN:  Multi-institutional retrospective clinical study. METHODS:  Medical records (2005-2020) of dogs treated ( = 30). Clinical signs, Modified Frankel Score, Texas Spinal Cord Injury Score, pain score (dorsal palpation of spine, tail dorsiflexion), imaging findings and complications were retrieved pre-operatively, perioperatively and at long-term follow-up. RESULTS:  The most common presurgical imaging findings were disc protrusion (24/25) and sclerosis of the caudal end-plate of L7 (23/30). On short- to long-term assessment 18 out of 21 dogs exhibited clinical improvement and all exhibited improved pain scores ( < 0.0001). Catastrophic complications occurred in 3 dogs, and major complications occurred in 5, of which 3 required additional surgery. Mean lumbosacral step defect reduced 60% (1.8 mm ± 2.5 mm pre-surgery to 0.7mm ± 0.9mm post-surgery, = 0.1585). Mean foraminal width significantly increased 50% long-term (3.3 mm ± 1.0 mm pre-surgery to 5.0 mm ± 0.9 mm post-surgery, < 0.0001). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:  Dorsal laminectomy, annulectomy and distraction stabilization is a complex procedure which can significantly increase foraminal width, reduce pain and improve gait characteristics in dogs in the short- to long-term, and should be performed by surgeons experienced in lumbosacral pin placement.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34598302/