Fixing feline spinal fractures....

Stabilisation of thoracolumbar vertebral fractures and luxations in cats with a polyaxial screw/rod system

M. N. Çetin, Y. S. Şirin

Background
Thoracolumbar vertebral fractures and luxations are common causes of neurological impairment in cats, often resulting from trauma such as falls, traffic accidents, or bite injuries. Although various surgical techniques, including the use of polymethylmethacrylate with pins or screws, are employed to achieve spinal stabilization, polyaxial screw/rod systems are widely used in humans and dogs but have not been previously studied in feline patients. This study aimed to assess the clinical and neurological outcomes of using a polyaxial screw/rod system to stabilize thoracolumbar spinal injuries in cats.

Methods
Sixteen cats with thoracolumbar vertebral fractures, luxations, or instability accompanied by neurological deficits or severe pain were included. Preoperative evaluations consisted of clinical, orthopedic, and neurological assessments using the Modified Frankel Scale, along with radiography. Surgical stabilization involved dorsal access and insertion of polyaxial screws and rods. Postoperative assessments included computed tomography (CT) to evaluate screw placement and bone stock. Follow-up examinations assessed neurological recovery and clinical outcomes at week 1, week 3, and 6 months post-surgery.

Results
Lesions were most frequently located between T3–L3 (10 cases) and L4–L7 (6 cases). A total of 50 polyaxial screws were implanted—44 optimally, four with minor breaches (<2 mm), and two were broken but did not require revision. Neurological improvement occurred in 11 cats (69%). Clinical outcomes were rated as excellent in four cats, functional in six, and poor in six. Vertebral alignment was maintained in all cases, and vertebral canal dislocation resolved postoperatively. CT revealed adequate bone stock and screw placement in most cases, with only minor vertebral canal breaches in four screws.

Limitations
Limitations include the absence of advanced preoperative imaging such as myelography, which restricted detailed spinal cord assessment. Follow-up data were based largely on owner-reported outcomes rather than clinical examinations or imaging. The small sample size and lack of a control group limit the generalizability of findings.

Conclusions
The polyaxial screw/rod system proved feasible and effective for stabilizing thoracolumbar vertebral injuries in cats, providing adequate mechanical support and promoting neurological recovery in a majority of cases. This method represents a promising surgical option for feline spinal stabilization, although further studies with standardized follow-up and larger sample sizes are warranted.

Disclaimer: The summary generated in this email was created by an AI large language model. Therefore errors may occur. Reading the article is the best way to understand the scholarly work. The figure presented here remains the property of the publisher or author and subject to the applicable copyright agreement. It is reproduced here as an educational work. If you have any questions or concerns about the work presented here, reply to this email.