Our Summary

This research paper is about a 19-year-old Syrian bear in captivity that had a problem with his right hind leg. It started with a limp and then got worse until the bear couldn’t move its back legs. Even after being kept in a smaller enclosure at night and given medicine, the bear didn’t get better. So, the researchers took some X-rays and did tests on the fluid around the bear’s spinal cord. They found out that the bear’s spinal cord was being squeezed at a specific spot.

To fix this problem, the researchers operated on the bear, removing part of the spine to relieve the pressure. After the operation, the bear started showing signs of improvement within 10 days. After 6 months of physical therapy, the bear was able to walk and use its back legs normally again.

The paper highlights the successful treatment of spinal cord compression in a Syrian bear through surgery and rehabilitation.

FAQs

  1. What were the initial treatments given to the bear for his right hind limb lameness?
  2. What is a dorsal laminectomy and why was it performed on the bear?
  3. How long did it take for the bear to show signs of improvement after the spinal surgery?

Doctor’s Tip

A doctor might tell a patient undergoing spinal laminectomy to follow a strict rehabilitation program postoperatively to optimize recovery and regain mobility. This may include physical therapy, exercises, and proper rest to ensure the best possible outcome. It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions carefully and attend all follow-up appointments to monitor progress and address any concerns.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended spinal laminectomy include those with spinal cord compression due to conditions such as spinal stenosis, herniated discs, spinal tumors, or spinal injuries. These patients may present with symptoms such as back pain, numbness or weakness in the extremities, difficulty walking, or loss of bladder or bowel control. In the case of the Syrian bear mentioned in the abstract, the laminectomy was performed to relieve dynamic spinal cord compression at the level of T2-T3, resulting in neurological improvement and the ability to walk normally after rehabilitation.

Timeline

Before the spinal laminectomy:

  • 19-yr-old captive male Syrian bear presents with right hind limb lameness
  • Lameness progresses to nonambulatory paraparesis over 2 weeks
  • Confinement and medication do not lead to improvement
  • Radiographs, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and myelography reveal spinal cord compression at T2-T3

After the spinal laminectomy:

  • Dorsal laminectomy of both T2 and T3 is performed to decompress the spinal cord
  • Bear recovers uneventfully with neurological improvement seen at 10 days postoperatively
  • 6 months of rehabilitation leads to bear walking and using hind limbs normally

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is a spinal laminectomy and why is it necessary in my case?
  2. What are the risks and potential complications associated with a spinal laminectomy?
  3. What is the expected recovery time and rehabilitation process following a spinal laminectomy?
  4. How will a spinal laminectomy affect my mobility and quality of life?
  5. Will I need any additional treatments or therapies following the procedure?
  6. How often will I need follow-up appointments to monitor my progress?
  7. Are there any restrictions or precautions I should take after the surgery?
  8. What are the chances of the spinal cord compression recurring in the future?
  9. Are there any alternative treatments or procedures that could be considered instead of a spinal laminectomy?
  10. Can you provide me with information about your experience and success rate with performing spinal laminectomies?

Reference

Authors: Büeler AR, Merbl Y, Kushnir Y, Chai O, Aizenberg I, Horowitz I, Matalon E, Tam D, Shamir MH. Journal: J Zoo Wildl Med. 2016 Dec;47(4):1105-1108. doi: 10.1638/2015-0265.1. PMID: 28080915