Summary
A “double blinded” prospective study was undertaken to determine whether gold bead
implantation acupuncture alleviates lameness and pain in dogs, affected by moderate
to severe hip dysplasia. Nineteen large-breed adult dogs, of various breeds with clinical
and radiographic evidence of hip dysplasia, were randomly assigned to the acupuncture
or the placebo group. The acupuncture treatment with gold bead implantation was performed
by a licensed acupuncturist. Objective data were acquired, in the gait analysis laboratory,
using kinetic and kinematic parameters before and at one and three months after treatment.
In the acupuncture group there was a decrease in vertical and peak vertical impulse
formation at one month, which indicated an increase in lameness, without any significant
difference between groups at three months post-treatment.
Subjective data were gathered by radiographs as well as serial complete physical examinations
by an experienced clinician and an owner questionnaire, before and at one and three
months after treatment. Subjective grading of hip dysplasia radiographs did not show
any difference in severity between the two groups. According to the physical examination,
one dog in the acupuncture group improved, five stayed the same and three worsened.
In the placebo group two dogs improved, four stayed the same and three worsened. According
to the questionnaire, three dogs in the acupuncture group improved, four stayed the
same and two worsened. In the placebo group three dogs improved and six stayed the
same. Serial blood analyses were performed and the results were within normal limits
at all times.
Keywords
Canine - hip dysplasia - gold bead implantation acupuncture - kinetic and kinematic
gait analysis
