Case Overview

Ossa, an 11 year old Husky, had been struggling with back pain for nearly two years. Her owners noticed a gradual change in daily comfort, including stiffness after rest and increasing reluctance to jump or use stairs.

She had already been treated with physiotherapy and later received an epidural steroid infiltration. Both helped for a short time, but the improvement never lasted and her discomfort continued to progress.

1 - Prof. Dr. Steffen LeiPED Pedicle Screw System

2 - Prof. Dr. Steffen LeiPED Pedicle Screw System Kopie

Diagnostic Findings

MR Imaging confirmed disc degeneration at L7 S1, without central canal or foraminal nerve root compression. With compression ruled out, biomechanical pain from failure of disc function and painful segmental motion was considered the most likely cause.

3 - Prof. Dr. Steffen LeiPED Pedicle Screw System Kopie

4 - Prof. Dr. Steffen LeiPED Pedicle Screw System Kopie

Surgical Approach

Because conservative therapy provided only temporary relief, Prof. Dr. med. vet. Frank Steffen proceeded with stabilization of the L7 S1 segment. The goal was to reduce painful movement and improve long term comfort rather than to decompress neural structures.
Stabilization was performed using a titanium pedicle screw fixation system. In this case, the LeiPED Pedicle Screw System was used to provide controlled, stable fixation at the lumbosacral junction.

5 - Prof. Dr. Steffen LeiPED Pedicle Screw System Kopie

6 - Prof. Dr. Steffen LeiPED Pedicle Screw System Kopie

Recovery Outlook

Ossa’s case highlights how significant disc degeneration can be even without nerve root compression. For selected patients, stabilization can offer meaningful and lasting pain relief by neutralizing the painful motion at the diseased segment and helping patients regain comfort in everyday life.

SPECIAL THANKS to Prof. Dr. med. vet. Frank Steffen (Universitäres Tierspital Zürich)

Implant System used: LeiPED Pedicle Screw System

Manufacturer: Rita Leibinger Medical

Surgery by: Prof. Dr. med. vet. Frank Steffen (Universitäres Tierspital Zürich)

Assistant: Dr. med. vet. Raphael Arz (Universitäres Tierspital Zürich)

About the

LeiPED Pedicle Screw System

Side-Loading Rod Placement for Stability

Positioning the rod closer to the bone shortens the lever arm and reduces stress on screw threads and surrounding bone. This biomechanical advantage translates into lower risk of screw loosening and improved force transmission, ensuring stable vertebral under load.

Asymmetric Screw Head for Anatomical Integration

The asymmetric tulip head adapts to the natural contour of the vertebrae, creating a secure bone-comforting fit. Unlike symmetrical designs, this geometry reduces micro-motion at the bone-implant interface, which in turn minimizes soft tissue irritation.

Variable Polyaxial Angulation for Surgical Flexibility

The screw heads allow controlled polyaxial angulation, giving surgeons the ability to fine-tune screw alighnment and rod placement even in anatomically challenging or distorted spinal regions, making implantation safer and more precise.

Compact, Tissue-Sparing Profile

The compact design of the screw head and rod construct facilitates implantation in tight anatomical corridors, reduces implant prominence and protects surrounding musculature and vascular structures from irritation or damage.

High Load-Bearing Capacity with Fatneck Design

The specially engineered Fatneck screw design improves stability under repetitive loading and enhances the construct´s resistance to mechanical failure, making LeiPED particularly suited to larger or more active canine patients where higher forces act on the stabilization system.

Multi-Size Screws and Rods

The system includes tulip screw heads in three size groups:

Small (2.0 and 2.4 mm),
Medium (2.7 and 3.0 mm),
and Large (3.5 and 4.5mm)

Each available in multiple screw lengths to accomodate diverse patient anatomies. Matching rod diameters of 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 mm ensure stable construct assembly across different case requirements. All screws are supplied with corresponding caps for secure rod fixation.

Titanium for Optimal Biocompatiblity

LeiPED Pedicle Screw System is made from medical-grade titanium, offering several key benefits: exceptional biocompatibility, ensuring optimal tolerance by the body and minimizing the risk of adverse reactions; superior strength and durability, providing reliable support during the healing process and long-term stability; and outstanding corrosion resistance, making them ideal for long-term implantation while maintaining their integrity over time.

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