A randomized, blinded, prospective clinical trial of postoperative rehabilitation in dogs after surgical decompression of acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation

Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2018 · DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15086 · Published: January 31, 2018

Spinal Cord Injury Veterinary Medicine Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study investigates whether intensive physical therapy after surgery for a slipped disc in dogs helps them recover better. Dogs were randomly assigned to either a basic care group or an intensive rehabilitation group. The intensive rehabilitation program included exercises like supported standing, electrical muscle stimulation, and underwater treadmill work. The goal was to see if this more active approach improved their walking and coordination compared to standard care. The results showed that while the intensive program was safe, it didn't significantly improve the dogs' recovery speed or ability to walk compared to the dogs that received only basic care.

Study Duration

14 days in-house rehabilitation protocol, 42 days total

Participants

30 non-ambulatory paraparetic or paraplegic dogs

Evidence Level

Level 1: Randomized, blinded, prospective clinical trial

Key Findings

1
Early postoperative rehabilitation after surgery for TL-IVDH is safe in dogs.
2
Intensive postoperative rehabilitation didn't improve the rate or level of recovery in dogs with incomplete SCI.
3
Most dogs lost weight and thigh circumference in the first 14 days after surgery.

Research Summary

This study compared basic versus intensive postoperative rehabilitation protocols in dogs with incomplete SCI due to TL-IVDH. The intensive rehabilitation protocol was safe and well-tolerated. No significant difference was found in the level or speed of recovery of ambulation and quadrupedal coordination between the two treatment groups.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Timing

Early initiation of intensive rehabilitation may not provide additional benefits compared to basic care for dogs with incomplete spinal cord injuries after TL-IVDH surgery.

Rehabilitation Focus

Future research should investigate intensive rehabilitation in dogs with complete spinal cord injuries or delayed recovery.

Post-operative Care

Meticulous and standardized postoperative care may improve the rate of recovery, regardless of the intensity of rehabilitation.

Study Limitations

1
The speed of spontaneous recovery in this group of animals may limit the impact of interventions.
2
The duration of training might have been insufficient to demonstrate a significant effect.
3
The study population was limited to dogs with incomplete spinal cord injuries.

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