A randomized blind placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on canine elbow osteoarthritis.

The effect of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) or sham light therapy on pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) requirement, and lameness was studied in 20 dogs with naturally occurring elbow osteoarthritis. Dogs (n = 20) were randomly assigned to receive either PBMT (group PBMT; n = 11) 10 to 20 J/cm2 or a placebo treatment (sham light group S; n = 9) treatment 0 J/cm2, to both elbows for 6 weeks. Lameness score, pain score, and NSAID dose were recorded by blinded study personnel before and 7 to 10 days after last treatment. Reduction in NSAID dose occurred in 9/11 dogs in the PBMT group, and in 0/9 of group S dogs (P = 0.0003). There was greater improvement in lameness score post PMBT versus S therapy (P = 0.001). A greater reduction in pain score was detected in 9/11 parameters in group PBMT (P < 0.05). Regularly scheduled PBMT at 10 to 20 J/cm2 per joint for 6 weeks was successful in improving lameness and pain scores, and in lowering NSAID requirement in canine elbow osteoarthritis patients.

Essai clinique randomisé à double insu examinant les effets de la thérapie par photobiomodulation (PBMT) en comparaison à un placebo pour le traitement de l'ostéoarthrite du coude canin. Les effets de la thérapie par photobiomodulation, PBMT (anciennement thérapie au laser froid, thérapie au laser de basse énergie, ou LLLT, abréviation anglaise) ont été évalués et comparés à un placebo lumineux chez 20 chiens souffrant d'ostéoarthrite bilatérale du coude. Les chiens (n = 20) ont été assignés aléatoirement au groupe recevant le traitement au laser (PBMT; n = 11), ou à celui recevant le traitement placebo (S; n = 9). Les deux groupes ont été traités à double insu pendant 6 semaines, recevant soit 10 à 20 J/cm2 (groupe PBMT) ou 0J/cm2 (S) pendant 3 à 5 minutes sur chaque coude. Avant (pré) et 7 à 10 jours après chaque traitement (post), la fréquence d'administration et le dosage d'anti-inflammatoire non stéroïdien (AINS), le degré de boiterie, évalué par un clinicien, ainsi que le degré de confort selon l'index d'Helsinki pour la douleur chronique, évalué par le propriétaire, ont été notés. Une réduction du besoin en AINS a été possible chez 9 des 11 chiens du groupe PBMT, tandis qu'aucun chien du groupe S n'a pu réduire sa consommation de médicament (P = 0,0003). Les grades de boiterie se sont améliorés de façon plus marquée chez le groupe PBMT que chez le groupe S (P = 0,001). Il en va de même pour l'index d'Helsinki chez le groupe PBMT pour lequel les propriétaires ont remarqué une amélioration du confort de leur animal pour 9 des 11 paramètres évalués (P < 0,05). Ces données suggèrent qu'un traitement au laser pour 6 semaines à un dosage de 10 à 20 J/cm2 a un effet bénéfique pour les chiens atteints d'ostéoarthrite bilatérale du coude en améliorant leur niveau de boiterie et de confort en plus de diminuer leur besoin en AINS.(Traduit par Dre Lauri Jo Gamble).

Treatment of biologically inactive nonunions by a limited en bloc ostectomy and compression plate fixation: a review of 17 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a surgical technique for treatment of biologically inactive nonunions using en bloc ostectomy and compression plate fixation and clinical outcome in 17 dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Seventeen dogs. METHODS: A transverse ostectomy was performed adjacent and parallel to the nonunion to eliminate nonviable tissue and provide a new, viable fracture surface with a minimum circumferential contact area of 315 degrees. With most of the bony column anatomically reconstructed, compression plate fixation was used to stabilize the fracture. Autogenous cancellous bone grafting was used if a fracture gap was present (<45 degrees of missing circumferential bone contact). Resection of bone was limited so that bone shortening was less than 20% of the overall bone length. Clinical and radiographic follow-up evaluations were obtained whenever possible. RESULTS: Complete circumferential bone contact and compression plate fixation was achieved after ostectomy in 12 dogs; cancellous bone graft was used in 5 dogs. En bloc ostectomy sites were radiographically healed in a median time of 2.5 months after surgery in 11 dogs that returned for complete in-hospital follow-up, and progressive healing was observed in 3 other dogs, where in-hospital follow-up was obtained up to 2 months after surgery. These dogs had a median follow-up time of 2 months, at which time 6 dogs had no lameness, 4 had minimal lameness, and one had moderate lameness. No complications occurred, and no implants were removed. CONCLUSIONS: En bloc ostectomy with compression plate fixation was considered successful for the treatment of biologically inactive nonunions. A good to excellent prognosis can be expected with minimal complications. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Use of an en bloc ostectomy technique for the treatment of biologically inactive nonunions permits easy resection of nonviable tissue. Subsequent fracture stabilization with compression plate fixation resulted in rapid bone healing without complications.

Magnetic resonance imaging features of extradural hematomas associated with intervertebral disc herniation in a dog.

Myelography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed on a 4-year-old neutered female Rottweiler with bilateral pelvic limb paresis. On the myelogram, there was extradural spinal cord compression at the level of the T11-12 intervertebral disc. Inadvertent placement of epidural contrast medium also allowed identification of a 1-cm circular filling defect in the epidural space dorsal to the compressed spinal cord. MRI showed partial loss of the nucleus pulposus signal of the T11-12 disc, a focal signal void within the vertebral canal at T11 compatible with a free disc fragment, and extradural masses compressing the spinal cord at T10-11 and T11-12. Hemorrhage within the masses was confirmed on T2*-weighted images. A mixture of hematoma and mineralized disc material was found at surgery, and there was no histopathologic evidence of neoplasia. In this article, the appearance on MRI of hemorrhage associated with intervertebral disc herniation is discussed.