Work

Kinematic changes following concurrent epidural injection with autologous conditioned serum (ACS) and glucocorticoids in dogs with cauda equina syndrome

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Cauda equina syndrome (CES) results from nerve root compression in the lumbosacral region of the spine, leading to chronic pain, lameness and other mobility disorders in dogs. A novel immunomodulating approach, epidural infiltration with Autologous Conditioned Serum (ACS), may offer a therapeutic solution to these clinical symptoms. Currently, quantitative evaluation of orthopedic disease treatments relies solely on owner-reported questionnaires rather than objective clinical measurements. This retrospective study assessed the therapeutic efficacy of epidural infiltration with ACS and glucocorticoids (GC) using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) kinematic system. The results demonstrated significant improvements in hind limb mobility parameters: a 6.43% increase in range of motion (ROM) (p = 0.028), a 4.56% increase in mean gyroscope amplitude (p = 0.044), and an 11.75% increase in stance phase (p = 0.038). Additionally, a 10.52% increase in variance of differentiated gyroscope signal (p = 0.002) indicated enhanced hind limb stability. Overall, epidural administration of ACS combined with GC significantly reduced clinical symptoms and improved mobility in the dog population studied. The IMU system demonstrated efficacy as a quantitative assessment tool for orthopedic evaluation.

Source: Veterinary and Animal Science

DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2026.100911

Authors: Patrick Blaettler Monnier, Indre Matsuzaki, Nico Gruetter, Julien Troillet

Institutions: FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Orthogen (Germany)

Language: English

Topic: Veterinary Orthopedics and Neurology

Subfield: Small Animals

Field: Veterinary

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,780