title: What progress has been made in the understanding and treatment of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis in dogs during the past 30 years?
abstract: An association between degenerative changes in the lumbosacral region of the vertebral column and clinical signs of pain and pelvic limb dysfunction has long been recognized in dogs and has become known as degenerative lumbosacral stenosis syndrome. Over the past two decades, methods of imaging this condition have advanced greatly, but definitive criteria for a reliable diagnosis using physical examination, imaging and electrodiagnostics remain elusive. Available treatment options have changed little over more than 30 years but, more importantly, there is a lack of comparative studies and little progress has been made in providing evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of affected dogs. This review provides an overview of the changes in diagnosis, understanding and treatment of lumbosacral disease in dogs over the past 30 years. Approaches to address the unanswered questions regarding treatment choice are also proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA. Electronic address: njeffery@iastate.edu.
authors.forename: Nick D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Jeffery
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.affiliation: Langford Veterinary Services, School of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK.
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Harcourt-Brown
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D012447:Sacrum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Canine; Compression; Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis; Magnetic resonance imaging; Nerve root