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Dogs Test Osseointegration ProsthesesCanine Research to Benefit Human Amputees
Veterinary medicine is pioneering in osseointegration implants. Two dogs, happy to be back on all fours, are paving the way for human surgery.
When a dog with only three legs is restored to the typical four legs, it’s something to celebrate. According to Science Daily, July 27, 2008, Cassidy, a German Shepherd mix, an amputee, has undergone surgery at North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine to replace his lost leg with a permanently attached prosthesis. The dog is expected to regain near normal use of the prosthetic leg. Cassidy is not the first animal to receive an osseointegrated prosthesis. Various animals including cats, elephants, turtles, birds and other dogs have been involved in pioneering efforts with osseointegrated implants. A Scrippsnews.com article reports that Sally, a rescued Saluki mix shipped from Kuwait, underwent a series of surgeries in 2007 by Dr. Erick Egger, an orthopedic veterinarian at CSU, to receive an artificial foot. History of Osseointegration ImplantsIn 1952, Professor Per-Ingvar Branemark of Sweden implanted titanium microscopes into rabbit bone to study blood flow in bone tissue. At the end of his experiment several months later, he was surprised to find that the bone tissue was so bonded with the implant that he could not recover the chamber. He called the process osseointegration from the Latin term, osseous, meaning ‘composed of bone’ and began to research its implications. Dentistry was the first to make use of the amazing discovery. Procedure for Osseointegrated ProsthesesImplanting an osseointegrated prosthesis is not completed in just one surgery. During the first stage, a titanium bolt is inserted into the cavity of the bone. Titanium is used because it is a material that does not cause soft tissue inflammation and is not rejected by the body. The protruding abutment is temporarily capped during a waiting period of several months while the wound heals and bone fuses itself firmly to the attachment. At the end of the healing period, the titanium abutment is exposed and the prosthesis is then attached to it. Great care is taken to prevent infection. Benefits of Osseointegrated ProsthesesIn Cassidy’s case, the permanent attachment will stay firmly in place while a strap-on prosthesis could shift, causing friction sores. Because it feels more natural and allows for more natural movement, an osseointegrated prosthesis is not likely to be chewed on by the dog. And for humans it may allow:
Future of Osseointegrated ProsthesesCassidy and Sally are happy dogs to be active on all fours again but the experience with the surgical technique and design of the limbs may soon benefit humans as well. Marcellin-Little, associate professor of orthopedics and osseointegration pioneer, says, “The implications for this procedure are huge….we see the possible benefits for humans - implants that allow the prosthetic limbs to attach without chafing or irritation, and limbs with more natural ranges of motion.“ Source:
The copyright of the article Dogs Test Osseointegration Prostheses in Dogs is owned by Joy Butler. Permission to republish Dogs Test Osseointegration Prostheses in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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