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Section: Overview
Thoracolumbar (T-L) disc disease is a condition that occurs when pressure is placed on the spinal cord by disc material that herniates beneath or adjacent to the cord. This condition is commonly referred to as Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) that can occur in the thoracolumbar area of the back. The condition may be an acute (occurs suddenly) or chronic (slowly develops over time) condition in dogs. The exact cause of disc degeneration is unknown but in many animals there is a change in the content of the disc from a soft, pliable gel to stiff mineral. This stiff material can slowly compress the spinal cord or suddenly burst into the spinal canal. When the disc involved is in the mid-portion or thoracolumbar area of the spine (the T-L region) the front legs are not affected; they remain normal. However, the back legs may be affected to varying degrees.
Lumbo-sacral disease, also called "cauda equina" syndrome, is the compression of the nerve roots and spinal cord as they pass through the lower back; it can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired...
Laminectomy refers to a surgical procedure in which a portion of the bone of a spinal vertebra is removed to allow access to the spinal canal and/or achieve decompression of the spinal cord.
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