Kinetic, kinematic, magnetic resonance and owner evaluation of dogs before and after the amputation of a hind limb

Abstract

BackgroundThe amputation of a limb is a surgical procedure that is regularly performed in small animal practice. In spite of several clinical reports indicating high owner satisfaction after limb amputation in dogs, an amputation is still very critically seen by the owners, and even by some veterinarians, due to the lack of accurate information about the recovery of amputee patients. Thus, the objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate, both objectively and subjectively, the recovery outcome of dogs undergoing a hind limb amputation. Twelve patients in which a hind limb amputation was scheduled were studied. Kinetic and kinematic gait analyses were performed before the amputation, and 10, 30, 90 and 120 days after surgery. Magnetic resonance (MR) examination of the contralateral stifle joint was performed before and 120 days after amputation. The subjective impressions of the owners were gathered at the same examination times of the gait analyses.ResultsKinetic data showed a redistribution of the load to all remaining limbs after the amputation; ten days after the procedure patients had already established their new locomotory pattern. Kinematic data showed significant differences between sessions in the mean angle progression curves of almost all analyzed joints; however, the ranges of motion were very similar before and after the amputation, and remained constant in the subsequent sessions after the amputation. No changes in the signal intensity of the soft tissues evaluated, and no evidence of cartilage damage or osteoarthritis was seen on the MR examination of the contralateral stifle. Owners evaluated the results of the amputation very positively, both during and at the end of the study.ConclusionsDogs had a quick adaptation after a hind limb amputation, and the adaptation process began before the amputation was performed. This happened without evidence of morphologic changes in the contralateral stifle joint, and with a very positive evaluation from the owner.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-016-0644-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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“…Indications for limb amputation in dogs include severe trauma, ischemic necrosis, refractory musculoskeletal infection, severe osteoarthritis that is nonresponsive to medical management, significant nerve injury, congenital deformity, and neoplasia. [1][2][3] The incidence of postamputation contralateral orthopedic disease is unknown, 4 and the standard of care for postamputation orthopedic disease is not well defined.…”

Test of Designing and Manufacturing a Polyether Ether Ketone Endoprosthesis for Canine Extremities by 3D Printing

“…However, when deciding to perform an amputation, some contraindications have been found: severe neurological or orthopedic pathologies in the remaining limbs, and extreme obesity (Séguin and Weigel, 2012). Total limb amputations are associated with quite remarkable kinematic and kinetic changes in remaining limbs (Galindo-Zamora et al, 2016). Those changes are greater for animals with a thoracic limb amputation than with a pelvic one (Galindo-Zamora et al, 2016).…”

“…Total limb amputations are associated with quite remarkable kinematic and kinetic changes in remaining limbs (Galindo-Zamora et al, 2016). Those changes are greater for animals with a thoracic limb amputation than with a pelvic one (Galindo-Zamora et al, 2016). The absence of a limb creates mobility and endurance limitations; it also increases metabolic demands, weight gain and weight-bearing instability, chronic neck and back pain, and the probability of premature euthanasia (Mich, 2014).…”

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