This article is from the K9 Magazine archives, subscribe to our newsletter & get our best dog news, tips and articles ---->An eight year old dog has become the first ever animal to be fitted with a groundbreaking biotechnical prosthetic limb. The implant, which scientists hope will eventually help move human medicine forward, allows tendons to literally ‘grow’ into metal and thus restore total mobility and function.
The procedure was carried out in March this year, and now, nine weeks later, Roly is able to walk again, thanks to the insertion of a unique metal implant that mirrors the original femur and boasts a tendon in-growth attachment, so that effectively tendons and muscles have been fully re-attached to the artificial limb.
When Roly, an American Bulldog from Farnborough in Hampshire, started lifting his left hind leg in the air, yelping and walking on his other three legs, owners Dennis Hoy and his wife Sue were naturally quite concerned. The diagnosis of a malignant bone tumour, osteosarcoma (cancer), was heartbreaking. But the family did not want to give up on their pet: “Euthanasia was not a consideration,” said Dennis, “as Roly is a young dog and very much a part of our family. Nor was amputation realistic in our opinion, given the fact that he weighs around 50 kilos and has arthritis and ligament problems in lots of joints – so limb salvage seemed the only practical and compassionate solution.”
Roly the American Bulldog photograph taken by Noel Fitzpatrick
They were referred to Noel Fitzpatrick of Fitzpatrick Referrals, a specialist veterinary clinic in Surrey, who offered them the option of the experimental procedure. “This truly remarkable achievement was made possible through the convergence of biomechanics, biology and surgical innovation,” explains Noel Fitzpatrick.
“We tapped into the evidence provided by the CT and MRI scanners we have in place at the practice, so that the data collected about Roly during clinical diagnosis was used to design and construct an artificial femur which exactly mirrored his original limb. It has been constructed rather like a telescope – one section fitting inside the adjoining section, so that we get maximum flexibility and traction during motion.”
The prosthesis was designed jointly by Dr Fitzpatrick himself; Professor Gordon Blunn, Head of the Centre for Bio-Medical Engineering at UCL’s Institute of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Science; and Jay Meswania from specialist implant manufacturer OrthoFitz. Their three year collaboration is a perfect example of the benefits that can result from developing partnerships between experts in separate but related clinical disciplines.
The procedure itself involved a highly complex two-hour operation, during which Dr Fitzpatrick replaced the cancerous femur bone and hip joint with the specially constructed artificial prosthesis, while reattaching the musculature and realigning the relative position of the joint to restore perfect movement to the dog.
Osteosarcoma of the proximal femur. Fitzpatrick Referrals
As Professor Blunn explains: “What is significant about the design is the way in which it sandwiches tissue and metal together overlaying the gluteal muscles onto the top of the endoprosthetic femur – alternating tendon, synthetic Dacron mesh, tendon, synthetic Dacron mesh, tendon and finally trabecular metal – which has a honeycomb surface resembling a series of small chambers. In this way, the hope is that the Sharpeys fibres which attach tendons of muscles to the bone will grow into the trabecular metal surface and permanently adhere to it.”
The endoprosthesis with the first ever tendon in growth attachment. Fitzpatrick Referrals
Though Roly will still have to have regular chemotherapy treatments to stop the cancer spreading, and will probably not live to his full life expectancy, what the operation has done is allowed him to live his remaining days to the full. Video footage was released of him running and playing happily after his op. Owners Dennis and Sue Hoy were delighted with the results: “I was confident that Noel and his team knew exactly what was clinically possible and most of all in Roly’s best interests,” they said. “The results of the treatment have confirmed our trust. My vet has been amazed at the result and we cannot wait to get back to the hour-long walks we take three times a day together!”
Dr Fitzpatrick says: “This technology is equally applicable for dogs and cats affected by trauma who will likely live longer. My job is to look after my patients as best I can and to be honest with their guardians and give them options.”
While Roly’s experience has been a triumph for the dog and his owners, it undoubtedly has potentially ground breaking implications for both animals and humans. This breakthrough is especially important for human accident victims, such as motorcycle accidents where a key challenge to recovery may be successfully re-attaching the kneecap tendon onto the top of the tibia in the lower leg. Another example would be repairing ruptured tendons in the shoulders of human tennis or cricket players. It has long been part of Dr Fitzpatrick’s underlying philosophy that veterinary and human medicine are closely interdependent and advances in either field have profound implications for the other. Let’s hope that Roly’s brave foray into new techniques and advances will benefit us all in the future.
For further information visit www.fitzpatrickreferrals.co.uk
Highly Recommended: As summer approaches, your dog will thank you for – clicking this link…!
Related posts:
One Response
Pingback: Laura Patricia » Exciting stuff has been going on!