Objectives
To compare von Frey mechanical quantitative sensory thresholds (mQSTvF) between pelvic limbs in dogs before unilateral total hip replacement (THR) surgery; to correlate ground reaction forces (GRF) with mQSTvF; to assess changes in mQSTvF after THR surgery.
Study Design
Prospective clinical study.
Animals
Dogs (n = 44).
Methods
mQSTvF and GRF measured using a pressure sensitive walkway were evaluated before, and 3, 6, and 12 months after, unilateral THR. Measurements were recorded from the affected (operated) pelvic limb (APL) and the non‐operated pelvic limb (NPL). Random effects analysis and forwards stepwise linear regression models were used to evaluate the influence of time since surgery and patient factors on mQSTvF thresholds.
Results
There were no significant correlations between mQSTvF data and age, bodyweight or the GRF variables. Preoperative mQSTvF measured at the APL and NPL did not differ (P = .909). mQSTvF thresholds increased significantly after 12 months in NPL (P = .047) and APL (P = .001). In addition to time, APL mQSTvF values were significantly affected by sex (higher in males, P = .010) and body condition score (higher in leaner dogs, P = .035) and NPL mQSTvF values by sex (P = .038).
Conclusion
Successful unilateral THR results in decreased central sensitization after 12 months.