<p>Canine Degenerative Lumbosacral Stenosis: Prevalence, Impact And Management Strategies</p>

Abstract

Canine degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLSS) is a syndrome of low back pain with or without neurologic dysfunction associated with compression of the cauda equina. Most commonly occurring in medium- to large-breed dogs of middle to older age, German shepherd and working dogs are predisposed. Diagnosis is based on a combination of clinical signs, advanced imaging and ruling out other differential diagnoses. The volume of the intervertebral foramina at the lumbosacral junction is naturally reduced on extension but degenerative changes lead to a more marked reduction that can impinge the L7 nerve roots. Evidence is lacking on which to base decision-making for treatment of dogs with DLSS. However, surgical intervention may be indicated in dogs that do not respond to conservative management, or for dogs in which there is a requirement to work that prevents lifestyle adjustments. Improvements in electrodiagnosis and novel intra-discal treatments may improve the management of DLSS in the future.

Canine models of spine disorders

“…Traumatic spinal subluxations, luxations, and fracture‐subluxations are typically treated by open reduction and internal fixation using pins and methyl methacrylate or plates and screws, however, other methods of fixation as well as closed reduction with external fixation have also been used successfully. Importantly, adjacent segment disease is a common sequelae to IVDD and associated surgical treatments in dogs in a similar manner to that encountered in human patients 12,102,172‐176 …”

“…146,[166][167][168] ( Figure 4 Importantly, adjacent segment disease is a common sequelae to IVDD and associated surgical treatments in dogs in a similar manner to that encountered in human patients. 12,102,[172][173][174][175][176] 9 | OUTCOME MEASURES FOR CANINE MODELS OF IVDD…”

Accuracy and Safety of Image-Guided Freehand Pin Placement in Canine Cadaveric Vertebrae

“…Vertebral fixation techniques include the insertion of implants (pins or screws) connected by polymethylmethacrylate as well as plates [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] to stabilize vertebral column disorders of dogs such as vertebral fractures and luxations, congenital vertebral anomalies, caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy, degenerative lumbosacral stenosis and pathologic instability caused by neoplasia or discospondylitis. 1,2,4,5,[12][13][14][15][16] The thoracolumbar vertebral column is commonly affected by the first two aforementioned disorders. This anatomical region can represent a challenge for stabilization techniques, most particularly the thoracic portion where errant implants can damage the spinal cord but also the right azygos vein, the aorta, the pleura, lungs, spleen, liver, oesophagus, sympathetic trunk and the thoracic canal.…”

Prospective Evaluation of Local Sustained Release of Celecoxib in Dogs with Low Back Pain

“…Considering the advantages of PEAM-based local delivery of CXB, it remains to be determined whether this therapeutic approach would also be effective and provide long term analgesia in a clinical setting prior to bringing this concept to first-in-man studies for patients suffering from discogenic pain. Intradiscal application of a PCLA-PEG-PCLA platform hydrogel-based CXB delivery system demonstrated beneficial clinical effects in a proof-of-concept veterinary study employing dogs that suffered from low back pain [ 27 ] due to degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLSS) [ 28 ]. For the purpose of clinical translation, the dog can serve as a representative model for translational studies to humans.…”