A 50-step walking test for analysis of recovery after decompressive surgery for thoracolumbar disc herniation in dogs

J Vet Intern Med, 2022 · DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16516 · Published: September 1, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Veterinary Medicine

Simple Explanation

This research focuses on creating a standard way to measure how well dogs recover their ability to walk after surgery for a spinal cord injury in their lower back. The study involved both healthy dogs and dogs that had surgery for a herniated disc in their spine. The goal was to create a simple walking test that could be used to track recovery. The scientists used a '50-step walking test' to determine recovery, and the study suggests that this method can help assess if a dog can walk well enough to perform everyday activities.

Study Duration

September 2020 to December 2021

Participants

224 dogs (<20 kg): 120 ambulatory controls, 104 undergoing surgery for thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation

Evidence Level

Prospective cohort studies

Key Findings

1
The 50-step test effectively distinguished between outcomes for dogs with and without deep pain sensation, predicting recovery and expected recovery times.
2
Dogs that were deep pain-negative were less likely to recover ambulation (12/29) compared to dogs with intact pain perception (71/75).
3
Presurgical anesthetic time was associated with prolonged recovery, potentially due to reverse causality, where longer anesthetic times correlated with more severe cases.

Research Summary

The study validates a 50-step walking test as a pragmatic outcome measure for assessing ambulatory recovery in dogs after decompressive surgery for thoracolumbar disc herniation. The test effectively differentiates outcomes between dogs with and without deep pain sensation, providing approximate recovery times and aligning with owner expectations for functional ambulation. Exploratory analysis suggests that presurgical anesthetic time is associated with prolonged recovery, potentially due to reverse causality related to the severity of the condition.

Practical Implications

Standardized Outcome Measure

The 50-step walking test provides a standardized, practical tool for assessing recovery after spinal cord injury in dogs, facilitating comparison across different studies and treatments.

Clinical Decision Support

The test can aid in clinical decision-making by providing a measurable outcome to track progress, predict recovery times, and inform owners about realistic expectations.

Pragmatic Clinical Trials

The simplicity and ease of use of the 50-step test make it suitable for large-scale pragmatic clinical trials, enabling the collection of plentiful data across diverse geographical sites.

Study Limitations

1
The study is limited to dogs weighing less than 20 kg, which restricts the generalizability of the findings to larger breeds.
2
The assessment of ambulation recovery relies on owner reporting, which may introduce subjectivity and variability in the data.
3
The study design does not account for potential confounding factors that may influence recovery, such as variations in surgical techniques or post-operative rehabilitation protocols.

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