available as an effective treatment option for dogs with
Disc Associated Wobbler Syndrome. Filippo Adamo, DVM, DECVN For patients affected by chronic cervical spondylomyelopathy, cervical artificial prosthesis is becoming the standard of care in human medicine. Sequoia Veterinary Hospital Similarly, studies from the University of Wisconsin have demonstrated that a 1409 El Camino Real canine cervical spine with an implanted artificial disc retains closer biomechanical Redwood City, CA 94063 features to a physiologic spine compared to other surgical techniques (ventral slot and distraction fusion). Vet Surg 36:729-741, 2007. & Most recently, a clinical study in which dogs affected by Wobbler’s syndrome were treated with cervical arthroplasty, showed resolution of neurological signs and East Bay Veterinary Specialists, absence of the “domino” lesion (new compression at an adjacent space) at two 2803 Ygnacio Valley Road, years follow-up on MRI. JAVMA – in press. Walnut Creek, CA, 94598
Advantages of artificial disc implantation:
- Minimally invasive - Decreased morbidity - Simplification of the surgical technique - Cost effective: the cost of the prosthesis is equivalent to the cost of the pins and bone cement technique and significantly less expensive than the plating technique. Private donations are currently sponsoring the clinical study to a limited number of patients. This absorbs 1/3 of the surgical cost. If you have a patient that you think might benefit from placement of an artificial disc and for more information please contact Dr. Filippo Adamo, DECVN, Neurology Specialist, at East Bay Veterinary Specialists in Walnut Creek: (925) 937-5001 or at Sequoia Veterinary Hospital in Redwood City: (650) 369-7326