Degenerative Disc Disease Operation

[otisredding]

Hi, my GSD had an operation on her spine a month ago. She was diagnosed with DDD and the next day had this major operation. The recovery period was given as 4 weeks, during that time limited walks around the garden were advised. Although my vet says it's still early days she is dragging her left leg a great deal more than she was a week ago if I'm honest. I wasn't given any instructions about physiotherapy at home and in view of the huge wound to her back didn't try and do any. I am going to speak to my vet again tomorrow but I am thinking she is only going to say the same thing about time etc. Has anyone else had an experience with this operation and how long did it take before your dog began to show signs of walking improvement. I realise each case is different but I would like to know whether I am worrying unnecessarily. I am not in my native country and to be honest don't feel the medical care where I am is quite as good as in the UK, just my opinion so don't want to get into any arguments about that one!

[jessix]

When disks degenerate, the spaces between the vertebral processes shrinks and the spinal nerves which run from the spinal cord on both sides through these openings between the vertebrae to the legs and to other lower parts of the body get compressed. Innervation to the lower body is compromised.

The goal of DDD surgery is to decompress the compromised nerves to restore function. Several types of surgeries can achieve this goal. Stabilization with metal plates after reopening the space between the vertebrae, or removing the bone which impinges on the nerves, compressing them can restore function. This second method, a Laminectomy and Facetectomy on the affected side, in your case the left side, was the likely surgery. Removing this excess bone from the rear wall of the nerves’ tunnel will allow the nerve to expand and decompress.

Dragging the left leg after surgery (Sciatica) may result from damage to the nerve during the surgery. The surgery in the area may have caused swelling of the surrounding tissues and this could put more pressure on the nerve. If more extensive surgery was performed using fixed plates, the plates could have shifted position to put compression on the nerve again. Any number of complications or situations may have occurred after the surgery.

Most likely and dangerous is the possibility a post surgical infection set in. The surgery would have been successful but complications keep the problem from healing. If the animal continues to get worse, has more trouble walking, and appears to have increasing pain, a post surgical infection is likely.

A post surgical infection is more common than remaining post-surgical compression of the nerve. This post-surgical complication is difficult to diagnose, difficult to cure and takes a long time to heal if it is not diagnosed quickly, (within several weeks). Continue to question your doctor about this possibility if your animal does not start to improve from now on. It’s better to start antibiotic treatment than to wait doing nothing. The animal should improve after surgery. If it gets worse, an infection is likely. An infection may be difficult to diagnose because it may worsen gradually, with the main symptom being a lack of improvement or gradual decline for 1 or 2 months post-surgery! An infection may remain latent for months before you see increased pain, or decreased function. You will have to pester your doctor to rule out a post-surgical infection if the animal doesn’t steadily improve or gets worse from now on.

Physical therapy is not indicated after DDD surgery. The problem is not due to muscle atrophy. It’s from compression of spinal nerve(s) which affect the lower body. In your case the compromised left Sciatic nerve has affected the left leg and possibly caused fecal incontinence. The area needs to heal for several months after surgery, especially if an infection developed. Four months or longer could be needed for healing if the area has developed a well-established post-surgical infection. The first 6-8 weeks of treating such an infection includes daily injections of a strong antibiotic.

You will have to really pester your doctor to convince her of an infection if your dog does not get better and slowly goes downhill. Insist on diagnostic tests to rule out infection if there is no improvement for 1 or 2 months after the surgery.

GOOD LUCK!