Gait analysis of dogs with hip dysplasia treated with gold bead implantation acupuncture

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

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