March 3rd-10th, 2012
Crested Butte, Colorado, USA
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy for treatment of delayed TPLO healing in Dogs
Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
Introduction: Delayed union of TPLO osteotomies is a relatively uncommon complication. Most TPLO osteotomies heal with time, but pain and lameness may be associated with delayed union TPLO osteotomies. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) to treat delayed union TPLO osteotomy sites has not been reported, and may serve a dual purpose in decreasing pain and improving healing time of the TPLO osteotomy site.
Methods: Three middle-aged adult dogs that were diagnosed with delayed union TPLO osteotomies at 15 weeks or greater post-TPLO were treated with a single ESWT treatment (750 shocks total at 0.15 J/mm2). Each dog had pain over the osteotomy site on palpation and a visible lameness prior to ESWT. Follow up radiographs were obtained 4 weeks post-ESWT treatment.
Results: All three dogs had obvious progression radiographic healing after ESWT treatment. All three dogs had an improvement of at least one lameness grade at the walk and stance, and had no pain on palpation of the TPLO osteotomy site.
Discussion: In cases where delayed union TPLO sites contribute to pain and lameness, a single ESWT treatment may be a valid treatment option to address both pain and delayed healing.
Acknowledgments: No funding was provided for this work.
