Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Rehabilitation helps small dogs recover after disk herniation surgery
By Hodgson, Michelle M et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2017·Central Texas Veterinary Specialty Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Influence of in-house rehabilitation on the postoperative outcome of dogs with intervertebral disk herniation.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of small dogs weighing under 20 kg that had surgery for a herniated disk in their back were studied to see how in-house rehabilitation affected their recovery. Dogs that participated in rehabilitation had a better chance of regaining full movement and function, with 33% achieving this compared to only 9% of those who did not have rehabilitation. However, those who did not have rehabilitation returned to normal movement and awareness faster, but they also faced more complications after surgery. Overall, including rehabilitation in recovery plans may help improve outcomes and reduce issues after surgery.
People also search for: dog back surgery recovery · intervertebral disk herniation treatment · dog rehabilitation after surgery
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of in-house rehabilitation on the postoperative outcome of dogs with intervertebral disk herniation (IVDH). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS: Dogs (n = 248) under 20 kg of weight, with single site, thoracolumbar, Hansen Type I IVDH. PROCEDURES: Medical records of non-ambulatory dogs with IVDH treated via hemilaminectomy were reviewed. Dogs were classified in 2 groups depending on whether their postoperative management included an in-house rehabilitation program. Preoperative and sequential postoperative modified Frankel scores (MFSs) were recorded. Time to ambulation, time to normal conscious proprioception, final MFS, and complications were compared between the groups. RESULTS: More dogs returned to full neurologic function (final MFS of Grade 5) when in-house rehabilitation was included in the postoperative management (33% compared to 9%). Normal conscious proprioception and ambulation returned earlier in the control group (42 days and 14 days, respectively) compared to the group with rehabilitation (49 days and 28 days, respectively). The complication rate was higher in the control group (29%) compared with the group with rehabilitation (16%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In-house rehabilitation should be included in the postoperative management in dogs after surgical treatment of IVDH to improve neurologic function and reduce postoperative complications.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28233909/