Temporary Segmental Distraction in a Dog with Degenerative Lumbosacral Stenosis

Nicole Willems; Roel F.M.R. Kersten; Steven M. van Gaalen; F. Cumhur Öner; Gustav J. Strijkers; Stefanie Veraa; Martijn Beukers; Marianna A. Tryfonidou; Björn P. Meij

doi:10.1055/s-0038-1639599

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Table of Contents

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2018; 31(04): 298-303
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1639599

Case Report

Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Temporary Segmental Distraction in a Dog with Degenerative Lumbosacral Stenosis

Authors

Nicole Willems

¹Division of Orthopaedics/Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Roel F.M.R. Kersten

²Department of Orthopaedics, Diakonessenhuis, Diakonessenhuis, Zeist, The Netherlands
Steven M. van Gaalen

²Department of Orthopaedics, Diakonessenhuis, Diakonessenhuis, Zeist, The Netherlands
F. Cumhur Öner

³Department of Orthopaedics, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Gustav J. Strijkers

⁴Department of Biomedical Engineering & Physics, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Stefanie Veraa

⁵Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Martijn Beukers

⁵Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Marianna A. Tryfonidou

¹Division of Orthopaedics/Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Björn P. Meij

¹Division of Orthopaedics/Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Abstract

Objectives Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLSS) is characterized by intervertebral disc degeneration and causes lower back pain in dogs. Temporary distraction in rabbit models with induced intervertebral disc degeneration showed signs of intervertebral disc repair. In the present study, we assessed safety and efficacy of temporary segmental distraction in a dog with clinical signs of DLSS.

Methods Distraction of the lumbosacral junction by pedicle screw–rod fixation was applied in a 5-year-old Greyhound with DLSS and evaluated by radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and force plate analysis before and after distraction.

Results Safe distraction of the lumbosacral junction was demonstrated, with improvement of clinical signs after removal of the distraction device. Signal intensity of the intervertebral disc showed no changes over time. T2 value was highest directly after removal of the distraction device but decreased by 10% of the preoperative value at 9 months of follow-up. Disc height decreased (8%) immediately after removal of the distraction device, but recovered to the initial value. A decrease in the pelvic/thoracic propulsive force during pedicle screw–rod fixation and distraction was demonstrated, which slowly increased by 4% compared with the initial value.

Clinical significance Temporary pedicle screw–rod fixation in combination with distraction in a dog with DLSS was safe, improved clinical signs and retained disc height at 9 months of follow-up.

Keywords

degenerative lumbosacral stenosis - dog - intervertebral disc - lower back pain - distraction

Full Text

References

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