Management of L7 osteochondrosis with secondary lumbosacral degenerative stenosis in a dog by vertebral distraction and dorsal fusion

Summary

This report describes a case of osteochondritis dissecans in a 3‐year‐old, female, neutered labrador retriever, where the osteochondritis dissecans lesion affected the seventh lumbar vertebra (L7), resulting in lumbosacral degenerative stenosis with marked asymmetric radiculitis of the L7 nerve root. Advanced imaging revealed an osteochondritis dissecans lesion of the right caudodorsal endplate of L7, alongside an elevated fibro‐osseous flap causing marked right‐sided foraminal stenosis and compressive radiculitis of the right L7 nerve root. Conservative treatment failure alongside a progressive radiculopathy resulted in surgical intervention. The surgery involved removal of the protrusive portion of the L7–S1 intervertebral disc, followed by distraction and fusion of the vertebrae in a flexed position, thus indirectly decompressing the right L7 nerve root. Long‐term follow‐up revealed dorsal columnar fusion and a positive clinical outcome with normal gait and exercise ability. At 15 months, a mild relapse of signs, including difficulty sitting, was reported. Follow‐up computed tomography revealed sacroiliitis, which was deemed to be an example of adjacent segment disease, with advanced imaging and the subsequent disease course not consistent with an infectious or other cause.