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Surgery Surgical Services Neurosurgery Lumbosacral Disease
Surgery Surgical Services Neurosurgery Lumbosacral Disease
| Lumbosacral Disease |
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A number of processes occur in lumbosacral (LS) disease. The disc itself starts to degenerate and the space collapses, leading to arthritis formation of the joints of the LS region and thickening of the soft tissues around the space, all of which put pressure on the spinal nerves as they travel through the area. This most often occurs in medium to large breed dogs. German Shepherd dogs represent 1/4 to 1/2 of dogs with this problem. Males are more often affected than females. Signs include back pain, low carriage or lack of movement of the tail, lameness of a rear limb or ataxia of the rear limbs, dragging of the toes of the rear limbs, or difficulty urinating or defecating. This problem may be suspected on a neurological examination, but there are other problems that may look very similar. Radiographs of the area are often taken but do not provide a definitive answer. Higher imaging, such as a myelogram, CT or MRI is used to look for a bulge in the LS disc. Spinal fluid analysis is used to rule out other medical problems. In mild cases, or in cases where surgery is not an option, rest and anti-inflammatory medications are indicated. In cases where pain is more severe, if neurological deficits are present or if the animal is a working animal, surgery is advised. A procedure called a dorsal laminectomy is performed, and the bulging disc is removed. Rest and physical therapy are used after surgery for about 8-12 weeks. Recovery is linked to the severity of clinical signs before the surgery. Less severe signs mean a better chance for recovery. The more severe the signs, especially with urinary or fecal incontinence, then the chance of recovery decreases.
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South Texas Veterinary Specialists, LLP
503 E. Sonterra Blvd., Suite 102
San Antonio, TX 78258
210-930-8383
Fax 210-930-8040
info@stvetspecialists.com
