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. 2023 Jul;9(4):1521-1533.
doi: 10.1002/vms3.1146. Epub 2023 Jun 7.

Prospective evaluation of canine partial limb amputation with socket prostheses

Theresa M Wendland  1 , Bernard Seguin  1 , Felix M Duerr  1
Affiliations

Prospective evaluation of canine partial limb amputation with socket prostheses

Theresa M Wendland et al. Vet Med Sci. 2023 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Canine prostheses have been commercially available for many years but are still in early stages of research, development, and clinical application.

Objective: To prospectively investigate mid-term clinical outcomes of partial limb amputation with a socket prosthesis (PLASP) in canine patients via a descriptive prospective clinical case series and to describe a clinical protocol for PLASP.

Methods: Client-owned dogs (n = 12) with distal limb pathology for which total limb amputation was recommended were enrolled. Partial limb amputation was performed and a socket prosthesis was moulded and fitted to the limb. Complications, clinical follow-up, and objective gait analysis (OGA) were recorded for at least 6 months. An online survey was completed by owners after study completion.

Results: Ten dogs with thoracic limb pathology and two with pelvic limb pathology were included. The most common site of amputation was mid-radius (n = 5). Eleven of 12 dogs demonstrated quadrupedal gait on OGA with mean per cent body weight distribution (%BWD) of 26% on thoracic limb prostheses and a %BWD of 16% for the one pelvic limb prosthesis that OGA data were available for. Complications included prosthesis suspension difficulties (n = 5), pressure sores (4), bursitis (4), postoperative infection (3), prosthesis aversion (2), dermatitis (1), and owner noncompliance (1). Two owners elected to discontinue prosthesis use.

Conclusions: PLASP allowed restoration of quadrupedal gait patterns in most patients. Owners reported overall positive satisfaction, though a high complication rate was observed. PLASP should be considered in select cases as an alternative to total limb amputation for dogs with distal limb pathology.

Keywords: amputation; orthotic; partial amputation; prosthesis; prosthetic; socket.

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Conflict of interest statement

Felix Duerr is a paid consultant of OrthoPets, LLC.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Surgical technique. Depiction of the angles of the radial and ulnar osteotomies as well as the shape and proportions of the myocutaneous flap for a mid‐radius/ulna amputation.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Example of a socket prosthetic in use. Case example displaying a socket prosthetic applied to the residuum.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Congenital deformity case example. Preoperative radiographs demonstrating ectrodactyly in a patient with congenital deformity of the distal limb (A and B). Immediate postoperative radiographs of the same ectrodactyly patient (C and D).
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Prosthetic LIMB %BWD graph. This chart describes the per cent body weight distribution (%BWD) of the prosthetic limb of dogs for which objective gait analysis (OGA) was performed and recorded more than once during the study period. Gait bars are shown in chronological order, with Gait 1 representing the first OGA performed and Gait 7 representing the last OGA performed. Each dog has the affected limb listed to the right of the number; Right thoracic limb = RT, Left thoracic limb = LT, and right pelvic limb = RP. For thoracic limb %BWD 30% is considered ‘normal’ and for pelvic limb %BWD 20% is considered ‘normal’.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Disuse osteopenia and remodelling. Immediate postoperative radiographs of a distal radius/ulna amputation (A and B) radiograph 6 months postoperatively demonstrating remodelling and disuse osteopenia (C and D).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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