A simplified method of walking track analysis to assess short-term locomotor recovery after acute spinal cord injury caused by thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion in dogs

Vet J, 2016 · DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2016.01.013 · Published: April 1, 2016

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Veterinary Medicine

Simple Explanation

This study looks at a simple way to measure how well dogs recover after spinal cord injuries. The method involves using 'finger painting' to analyze footprints, measuring how long their steps are and how wide they stand. Researchers compared these measurements in healthy dogs and dogs with spinal cord injuries over a 30-day recovery period after surgery. They wanted to see if this simple method could reliably show differences in walking ability. The study found that dogs with spinal cord injuries had shorter steps and a wider stance with their front legs compared to healthy dogs. As they recovered, their step length gradually increased. This suggests the 'finger painting' method can help track recovery from spinal cord injuries in dogs.

Study Duration

30 days

Participants

20 normal dogs and 27 dogs with acute thoracolumbar SCI

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Mean stride length (SL) was significantly shorter in all four limbs of SCI-affected dogs at days 3, 10, and 30 compared to normal dogs.
2
The COV-SL was significantly higher in SCI-affected dogs than normal dogs in both thoracic limbs (TL) and pelvic limbs (PL) only at day 3 after surgery.
3
BS-TL was significantly wider in SCI-affected dogs at days 3, 10 and 30 following surgery compared to normal dogs.

Research Summary

This study evaluated a simplified 'finger painting' method of walking track analysis to compare footprint parameters between normal dogs and dogs with acute thoracolumbar SCI caused by IVDE. The study demonstrated that footprint analysis could be performed in both normal and SCI-affected dogs using a simple, ‘finger painting’ method of walking track analysis with affordable supplies. Significant differences in footprint parameters in both the PLs and TLs were found between normal and SCI-affected dogs.

Practical Implications

Objective Outcome Measure

Footprint analysis by this technique is useful as an objective outcome measure of SCI in dogs.

Accessible Method

The 'finger painting' method is affordable and can be performed with universally available supplies.

Thoracic Limb Adaptations

Changes in TL gait parameters after SCI underscore the importance of trunk and TL adaptations in locomotor recovery.

Study Limitations

1
Dogs needed to be consistently ambulatory for footprints to be measurable.
2
Footprint analysis could not be performed in dogs with more severe SCI in the early stages of recovery.
3
The current method proved time and labor intensive.

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