Lumbosacral Disease

Lumbosacral disease, sometimes termed degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLSS), is a disease primarily observed in medium- and large-breed dogs. DLSS induces compression and damage to the cauda equina due to narrowing of the vertebral canal and intervertebral foramen caused by degenerative changes in the discs, vertebrae, joints, and soft tissues of the lumbosacral junction. It may cause various clinical signs related to the cauda equina, such as pain, lameness, paresis of the hind limbs and tail, urinary incontinence, and fecal incontinence

Pathophysiology

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Diagnosis

Surgery & Prognosis

Surgery

Surgery & Prognosis

Postoperative outcomes of combined surgery comprising dorsal laminectomy, transarticular screws, pedicle screws and polymethylmethacrylate for dorsal fixation in 21 dogs with degenerative lumbosacral stenosis

The objective of this study was to retrospectively review the efficacy of combined surgery comprising dorsal laminectomy and dorsal fixation using screws and polymethylmethacrylate as treatment for dogs with degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLSS).

21 dogs with DLSS were evaluated; in all cases clinical signs were alleviated, proprioceptive deficits were improved from 3 months after surgery, and no recurrence of clinical signs was observed during the observation period. Minor complications were observed in 6 cases (28.6%), including implant failure in 2 (9.5%), delayed healing of surgical wounds in 2 (9.5%), seroma in 1 (4.8%), and swelling of the affected area in 1 (4.8%). There was no case with major complications.