Assessment of Motor Function Following TPLO (Knee Surgery) in Dogs Undergoing Two Different Nerve Block Techniques

The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine is currently recruiting dogs requiring a TPLO (tibial plateau levelling osteotomy).

Enrolment Status: Currently Enrolling

Inclusion criteria: Healthy dogs (ASA status I or II) weighing more than 15kg requiring TPLO surgery with or without concurrent knee arthroscopy. Enrollment is available exclusively for pets that have completed an orthopedic consultation, undergone radiographic imaging, have a TPLO surgery scheduled at the UF Veterinary Hospital, and have received surgeon approval for study participation.

Exclusion criteria: Dogs having bilateral TPLO surgery on the same day.

Dogs with known neurological deficits of the limb.

Dogs having a TPLO revision surgery.

Dogs with aggressive demeanor in which the postoperative assessment might be difficult,

Dogs with skin allergy/infection that preclude the execution of the blocks.

Treatment: Enrolled dogs will be placed under general anesthesia using standard hospital protocols. While under anesthesia but before surgery, all dogs will receive an injection of a pain medication to block the nerves (local anesthetic) going to the hindlimb being operated. The dogs will randomly be divided into two groups: one group will receive the standard treatment (nerve block of the saphenous and sciatic nerves), and the other group will receive the studied treatment (nerve block of the saphenous nerve, but in this case combined with a different approach to block the sciatic nerve, known as GIN plane block). A trained anesthetist or anesthesia resident under the supervision of a board-certified anesthesiologist will be evaluating pain treatment during anesthesia. Should there be any indication of pain, further pain medications will be administered as needed. All dogs will receive an anti-inflammatory medication at the end of surgery and every 12 hours after surgery. After surgery, dogs will be carefully monitored for any signs of pain.
Enrolled pets do not need to remain longer than normal in the hospital because of the study. The veterinarian in charge will determine when it is time to go home, depending on how well they are doing.

Cost: Only the cost of the nerve block will be covered. An estimate of costs for which you will be responsible will be prepared for you at the time of admission.

Contacts: For enrollment or general questions: email ahardison@ufl.edu. PI Diego Portela.

Background: The aim of this study is to assess the postoperative recovery of dogs following knee surgery. Our goal is to determine whether using a slightly different approach to give local anesthesia to the limb, known as the GIN plane block, is better than the traditional method (the sciatic nerve block) in terms of quicker limb movement after surgery.