Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Surgery outcomes for 11 dogs with thoracolumbar disc spinal
By Aikawa, T et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2013·Takeshi Aikawa, Japan·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hemilaminectomy and vertebral stabilization for thoracolumbar intervertebral disc associated dynamic compression in 11 dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Eleven dogs with back pain and difficulty walking were diagnosed with a spinal cord injury caused by bulging discs in their lower back. They underwent a surgical procedure called hemilaminectomy, which involves removing part of the vertebra to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. After surgery, all the dogs recovered well and were able to walk again, with follow-up evaluations showing they remained mobile for an average of nearly four years. This treatment proved effective for improving their neurological function and quality of life.
People also search for: dog back pain surgery · hemilaminectomy for dogs · intervertebral disc disease treatment in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the diagnostic findings, surgical technique and outcome in dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc-associated dynamic compression. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: Client owned dogs (n = 11). METHODS: Medical records (2005-2010) of dogs with a stress myelographic diagnosis of spinal cord injury due to thoracolumbar intervertebral disc-associated dynamic compression with inconclusive compression in the neutral myelographic views that had hemilaminectomy and vertebral stabilization were reviewed. Data on pre- and postoperative neurologic status, diagnostic findings, surgical techniques and outcomes were retrieved. Follow-up clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed immediately, and at approximately one, two, and six months postoperatively as well as at annual follow-up examinations. RESULTS: The stress myelography demonstrated distinct ventral dynamic compression due to bulging of the disc and additional dorsal compression due to infolding of the ligamentum flavum in some cases. The median percentage of post-stress reduction in spinal cord height on the lateral view was 18.0% (9.8-27.2%). All dogs recovered after surgery and at follow-up examinations were still ambulatory (median: 45 months, range: 7 to 94 months). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Thoracolumbar intervertebral disc degeneration may result in disc-associated dynamic compression. Stress myelography was an effective means of diagnosing this condition and hemilaminectomy with vertebral stabilization was an effective treatment resulting in long-term neurological improvement in all dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24008559/