Comparison of Stand-alone Cage versus Intervertebral Cage with Pedicle Screw and Rod Fixation in Dogs with Degenerative Lumbosacral Stenosis.

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical outcome of treatment of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis in dogs with a stand-alone intervertebral spacer (S group) and combined with a pedicle screw and rod fixation (S + PSRF group) in the lumbosacral junction.Retrospective study. Medical records (2014-2023) were reviewed for dogs treated with a stand-alone intervertebral spacer (S group) or a spacer combined with PSRF (S + PSRF group).

Computed Tomography Prevalence of Cervicothoracic Endplate Junction Alterations in Dogs.

Spinal degenerative changes can predispose back pain and neurological deficits in dogs. In humans and veterinary patients, the endplate junction has been proposed as an alternative site of failure in addition to damage of the annulus fibrosus, leading to intervertebral disc herniation. Some alterations lead to contour abnormalities with or without regional mineralizations and can be classified as Endplate Junction Failure (EPJF), osteochondrosis (with or without fragmentation), or spondylarthritis.

Drug retention after intradiscal administration.

Intradiscal drug delivery is a promising strategy for treating intervertebral disk degeneration (IVDD). Local degenerative processes and intrinsically low fluid exchange are likely to influence drug retention. Understanding their connection will enable the optimization of IVDD therapeutics.

Epidemiology of Modic changes in dogs: Prevalence, possible risk factors, and association with spinal phenotypes.

Background: Chronic low back pain, a leading contributor to disease burden worldwide, is often caused by intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. Modic changes (MCs) are MRI signal intensity changes due to lesions in vertebral bone marrow adjacent to degenerated IVDs. Only a few studies described the histopathological changes associated with MC to date.

A Novel Standardized Method for Aiding to Determine Left Atrial Enlargement on Lateral Thoracic Radiographs in Dogs.

Background: Left atrial enlargement indicates severe cardiac disease. Although the gold standard for determining left atrial size is echocardiography, many veterinary practices lack the necessary equipment and expertise. Therefore, thoracic radiography is often used to differentiate cardiogenic pulmonary edema from primary respiratory diseases and to facilitate distinguishing dogs with stage B1 and B2 mitral valve degeneration.

Intradiscal injection of human recombinant BMP-4 does not reverse intervertebral disc degeneration induced by nuclectomy in sheep.

Background: Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is suggested as a major cause of chronic low back pain (LBP). Intradiscal delivery of growth factors has been proposed as a promising strategy for IVD repair and regeneration. Previously, BMP-4 was shown to be more potent in promoting extracellular matrix (ECM) production than other BMPs and TGF-β in human nucleus pulposus (NP) cells, suggesting its applicability for disc regeneration.

Prospective Evaluation of Local Sustained Release of Celecoxib in Dogs with Low Back Pain.

Back pain affects millions globally and in 40% of the cases is attributed to intervertebral disc degeneration. Oral analgesics are associated with adverse systemic side-effects and insufficient pain relief. Local drug delivery mitigates systemic effects and accomplishes higher local dosing.

Intra-Articular Slow-Release Triamcinolone Acetonide from Polyesteramide Microspheres as a Treatment for Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common cause of pain and disability. Local corticosteroid injections are effective in treating OA pain and inflammation but are short-acting. Prolonged intra-articular (IA) corticosteroid exposure may even lead to cartilage deterioration.

Local controlled release of corticosteroids extends surgically induced joint instability by inhibiting tissue healing.

Background And Purpose: Corticosteroids are intra-articularly injected to relieve pain in joints with osteoarthritis (OA) or acute tissue damage such as ligament or tendon tears, despite its unverified contraindication in unstable joints. Biomaterial-based sustained delivery may prolong reduction of inflammatory pain, while avoiding harmful peak drug concentrations.

Experimental Approach: The applicability of prolonged corticosteroid exposure was examined in a rat model of anterior cruciate ligament and medial meniscus transection (ACLT + pMMx) with ensuing degenerative changes.

Dog as a Model for Osteoarthritis: The FGF4 Retrogene Insertion May Matter.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease associated with chronic pain and disability in humans and companion animals. The canine species can be subdivided into non-chondrodystrophic (NCD) and chondrodystrophic (CD) dogs, the latter having disproportionally short limbs due to disturbance in endochondral ossification of long bones. This phenotype is associated with retrogene insertions of the fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4) gene, resulting in enhanced fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) signaling.

Safety of intradiscal delivery of triamcinolone acetonide by a poly(esteramide) microsphere platform in a large animal model of intervertebral disc degeneration.

Background Context: Local corticosteroids have been used to relieve symptoms of chronic low back pain, although treatment effects have been shown to wear off relatively fast. Prolonging corticosteroid presence by controlled release from biomaterials may allow for longer pain relief while circumventing adverse effects such as high bolus dosages.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intradiscal controlled release of triamcinolone acetonide (TAA) by poly(esteramide) microspheres in a canine degenerated intervertebral disc (IVD) model.

Intra-articular injection of triamcinolone acetonide releasing biomaterial microspheres inhibits pain and inflammation in an acute arthritis model.

Inflammation of the synovium and joint capsule is a main driver of pain in an osteoarthritic (OA) joint. Triamcinolone acetonide (TAA) is a classical corticosteroid that reduces synovitis and alleviates pain, albeit transiently. Biomaterial-based local TAA release may prolong the suppression of pain without the need for multiple injections.

Biologic canine and human intervertebral disc repair by notochordal cell-derived matrix: from bench towards bedside.

The socioeconomic burden of chronic back pain related to intervertebral disc (IVD) disease is high and current treatments are only symptomatic. Minimally invasive strategies that promote biological IVD repair should address this unmet need. Notochordal cells (NCs) are replaced by chondrocyte-like cells (CLCs) during IVD maturation and degeneration.

Intradiscal application of a PCLA-PEG-PCLA hydrogel loaded with celecoxib for the treatment of back pain in canines: What's in it for humans?

Chronic low back pain is a common clinical problem in both the human and canine population. Current pharmaceutical treatment often consists of oral anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate pain. Novel treatments for degenerative disc disease focus on local application of sustained released drug formulations.

Inflammatory profiles in canine intervertebral disc degeneration.

Background: Intervertebral disc (IVD) disease is a common spinal disorder in dogs and degeneration and inflammation are significant components of the pathological cascade. Only limited studies have studied the cytokine and chemokine profiles in IVD degeneration in dogs, and mainly focused on gene expression. A better understanding is needed in order to develop biological therapies that address both pain and degeneration in IVD disease.

Pedicle screw-rod fixation: a feasible treatment for dogs with severe degenerative lumbosacral stenosis.

Background: Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis is a common problem in large breed dogs. For severe degenerative lumbosacral stenosis, conservative treatment is often not effective and surgical intervention remains as the last treatment option. The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the middle to long term outcome of treatment of severe degenerative lumbosacral stenosis with pedicle screw-rod fixation with or without evidence of radiological discospondylitis.

Biocompatibility and intradiscal application of a thermoreversible celecoxib-loaded poly-N-isopropylacrylamide MgFe-layered double hydroxide hydrogel in a canine model.

Introduction: Chronic low back pain due to intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is associated with increased levels of inflammatory mediators. Current medical treatment consists of oral anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate pain. In this study, the efficacy and safety of a novel thermoreversible poly-N-isopropylacrylamide MgFe-layered double hydroxide (pNIPAAM MgFe-LDH) hydrogel was evaluated for intradiscal controlled delivery of the selective cyclooxygenase (COX) 2 inhibitor and anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib (CXB).