{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,2]],"date-time":"2026-10-02T12:57:06Z","timestamp":1790945826785,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":28,"publisher":"American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["javma"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,2]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Objective<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>To evaluate the surgical management of feline vertebral fractures and luxations, with emphasis on neurological recovery.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Cats that underwent surgical management of vertebral fractures and luxations, without prior neurological disease, were retrospectively enrolled in this observational study from March 1, 2012, to December 31, 2024. Collected data included signalment, vertebral injury characterization, surgical technique, postoperative reduction, modified Frankel score, and urinary incontinence progression, outcome, and complications from clinical\/radiographic follow-up and telephone survey. Descriptive statistics were used to describe outcomes.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>30 cats met the inclusion criteria. Injury locations were lumbar (n = 16), thoracic (9), lumbosacral (4), and cervical (1). Preoperative modified Frankel scores were grade 3 (n = 12), grade 4 (8), grade 2 (4), grade 5 (2), and grade 1 (1). Surgical stabilization techniques primarily involved polymethylmethacrylate with screws (n = 18) or pins (9). At 8 weeks postoperatively, 28 cats were ambulatory. In the long term, 23 cats fully recovered. Grade 5 cats did not show neurological improvement. Among the 28 long-term ambulatory cats, 6 had persistent proprioceptive ataxia and all of these had T3-L3 neuroanatomical lesions. Urinary incontinence persisted in 4 cats. Owner assessment of long-term neurological recovery was good or excellent in 27 of 29 cats.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Surgical management was associated with favorable neurological recovery, even when surgery was delayed or postoperative reduction was incomplete.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Clinical Significance<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>In cats with vertebral fractures or luxations, surgical management should be considered an effective option when spinal instability or cord compression is present, providing that nociception is preserved.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.2460\/javma.26.05.0331","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,2]],"date-time":"2026-10-02T12:37:45Z","timestamp":1790944665000},"page":"1-8","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Most cats with a spinal fracture or luxation recover locomotion within 8 weeks of surgery"],"prefix":"10.2460","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0003-7765-861X","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Lucas","family":"Severac","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre Hospitalier V\u00e9t\u00e9rinaire Languedocia, Montpellier, France"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Capucine","family":"Piot","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre Hospitalier V\u00e9t\u00e9rinaire Languedocia, Montpellier, France"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sophie","family":"Gibert","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre Hospitalier V\u00e9t\u00e9rinaire Languedocia, Montpellier, France"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Paul","family":"S\u00e9riot","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre Hospitalier V\u00e9t\u00e9rinaire Languedocia, Montpellier, France"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Emilien","family":"Griffeuille","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre Hospitalier V\u00e9t\u00e9rinaire Languedocia, Montpellier, France"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6619-0634","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Robin","family":"Cavalerie","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre Hospitalier V\u00e9t\u00e9rinaire Languedocia, Montpellier, France"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Antoine","family":"Duni\u00e9-M\u00e9rigot","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre Hospitalier V\u00e9t\u00e9rinaire Languedocia, Montpellier, France"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1272","reference":[{"issue":"6","key":"ref1","series-title":"J Vet Intern Med","first-page":"851","article-title":"Prevalence of diseases of the spinal cord of cats","volume":"18","author":"Marioni-Henry K","year":"2004","unstructured":"Marioni-Henry K, Vite CH, Newton AL, Van Winkle TJ. Prevalence of diseases of the spinal cord of cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2004;18(6):851-858. doi:10.1111\/j.1939-1676.2004.tb02632.x"},{"issue":"1","key":"ref2","series-title":"Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol","first-page":"47","article-title":"Comparative study of vertebral fractures and luxations in dogs and cats","volume":"22","author":"Bali MS","year":"2009","unstructured":"Bali MS, Lang J, Jaggy A, Spreng D, Doherr MG, Forterre F. Comparative study of vertebral fractures and luxations in dogs and cats. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2009;22(1):47-53. doi:10.3415\/VCOT-08-02-0018"},{"issue":"3","key":"ref3","series-title":"Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol","first-page":"280","article-title":"Spinal fracture and luxation in dogs and cats: a retrospective evaluation of 95 cases","volume":"21","author":"Bruce CW","year":"2008","unstructured":"Bruce CW, Brisson BA, Gyselinck K. Spinal fracture and luxation in dogs and cats: a retrospective evaluation of 95 cases. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2008;21(3):280-284. doi:10.1055\/s-0037-1618862"},{"issue":"11","key":"ref4","series-title":"J Am Vet Med Assoc","first-page":"1965","article-title":"Management of vertebral column fractures in dogs and cats: 211 cases (1977-1985)","volume":"198","author":"Selcer RR","year":"1991","unstructured":"Selcer RR, Bubb WJ, Walker TL. Management of vertebral column fractures in dogs and cats: 211 cases (1977-1985). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1991;198(11):1965-1968. doi:10.2460\/javma.1991.198.11.1965"},{"issue":"6","key":"ref5","series-title":"J Small Anim Pract","first-page":"284","article-title":"Survival rates and outcomes in cats with thoracic and lumbar spinal cord injuries due to external trauma","volume":"45","author":"Grasmueck S","year":"2004","unstructured":"Grasmueck S, Steffen F. Survival rates and outcomes in cats with thoracic and lumbar spinal cord injuries due to external trauma. J Small Anim Pract. 2004;45(6):284-288. doi:10.1111\/j.1748-5827.2004.tb00236.x"},{"key":"ref6","series-title":"Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal","first-page":"529","article-title":"Vertebral fractures, luxations, and subluxations","author":"Weh JM","year":"2018","unstructured":"Weh JM, Kraus KH. Vertebral fractures, luxations, and subluxations. In: Johnston SA, Tobias KM, eds. Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal. 2nd ed. Elsevier Saunders; 2018:529\u2013548."},{"issue":"11","key":"ref7","series-title":"J Feline Med Surg","first-page":"850","article-title":"Acute spinal cord injury in the cat: causes, treatment and prognosis","volume":"13","author":"Eminaga S","year":"2011","unstructured":"Eminaga S, Palus V, Cherubini GB. Acute spinal cord injury in the cat: causes, treatment and prognosis. J Feline Med Surg. 2011;13(11):850-862. doi:10.1016\/j.jfms.2011.09.006"},{"issue":"8","key":"ref8","series-title":"Spine (Phila Pa 1976)","first-page":"817","article-title":"The three column spine and its significance in the classification of acute thoracolumbar spinal injuries","volume":"8","author":"Denis F","year":"1983","unstructured":"Denis F. The three column spine and its significance in the classification of acute thoracolumbar spinal injuries. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1983;8(8):817-831. doi:10.1097\/00007632-198311000-00003"},{"issue":"4","key":"ref9","series-title":"Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract","first-page":"859","article-title":"Spinal trauma: pathophysiology and management of traumatic spinal injuries","volume":"22","author":"Shores A","year":"1992","unstructured":"Shores A. Spinal trauma: pathophysiology and management of traumatic spinal injuries. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1992;22(4):859-888. doi:10.1016\/S0195-5616(92)50080-8"},{"issue":"4","key":"ref10","series-title":"Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol","first-page":"306","article-title":"Surgical repair of thoraco-lumbar vertebral fracture-luxations in eight cats using screws and polymethylmethacrylate fixation","volume":"27","author":"Vallefuoco R","year":"2014","unstructured":"Vallefuoco R, Manassero M, Leperlier D, Scotti S, Viateau V, Moissonnier P. Surgical repair of thoraco-lumbar vertebral fracture-luxations in eight cats using screws and polymethylmethacrylate fixation. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2014;27(4):306-312. doi:10.3415\/VCOT-13-08-0098"},{"issue":"4","key":"ref11","series-title":"Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol","first-page":"326","article-title":"Treatment of spinal fractures using Lubra plates: a retrospective clinical and radiological evaluation of 15 cases","volume":"25","author":"Krauss MW","year":"2012","unstructured":"Krauss MW, Theyse LFH, Tryfonidou MA, Hazewinkel HA, Meij BP. Treatment of spinal fractures using Lubra plates: a retrospective clinical and radiological evaluation of 15 cases. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2012;25(4):326-331. doi:10.3415\/VCOT-11-07-0096"},{"issue":"10","key":"ref12","series-title":"J Small Anim Pract","first-page":"708","article-title":"Stabilisation of thoracolumbar vertebral fractures and luxations in cats with a polyaxial screw\/rod system","volume":"66","author":"\u00c7etin MN","year":"2025","unstructured":"\u00c7etin MN, \u015eirin YS. Stabilisation of thoracolumbar vertebral fractures and luxations in cats with a polyaxial screw\/rod system. J Small Anim Pract. 2025;66(10):708-716. doi:10.1111\/jsap.13879"},{"issue":"1","key":"ref13","series-title":"J Am Vet Med Assoc","first-page":"78","article-title":"Tension band stabilization of fractures and luxations of the thoracolumbar vertebrae in dogs and cats: 38 cases (1993-2002)","volume":"225","author":"Voss K","year":"2004","unstructured":"Voss K, Montavon PM. Tension band stabilization of fractures and luxations of the thoracolumbar vertebrae in dogs and cats: 38 cases (1993-2002). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2004;225(1):78-83. doi:10.2460\/javma.2004.225.78"},{"key":"ref14","series-title":"Vet Med Int","first-page":"5112274","article-title":"Long-term follow-up of dogs and cats after stabilization of thoracolumbar instability using 2-0 UniLock implants","volume":"2022","author":"Letesson J","year":"2022","unstructured":"Letesson J, Goin B, Trouillet JL, Barthez P. Long-term follow-up of dogs and cats after stabilization of thoracolumbar instability using 2-0 UniLock implants. Vet Med Int. 2022;2022:5112274. doi:10.1155\/2022\/5112274"},{"issue":"3","key":"ref15","series-title":"Paraplegia","first-page":"179","article-title":"The value of postural reduction in the initial management of closed injuries of the spine with paraplegia and tetraplegia: I","volume":"7","author":"Frankel HL","year":"1969","unstructured":"Frankel HL, Hancock DO, Hyslop G,  The value of postural reduction in the initial management of closed injuries of the spine with paraplegia and tetraplegia: I. Paraplegia. 1969;7(3):179-192. doi:10.1038\/sc.1969.30"},{"issue":"7","key":"ref16","series-title":"J Small Anim Pract","first-page":"442","article-title":"Same-day surgery may reduce the risk of losing pain perception in dogs with thoracolumbar disc extrusion","volume":"61","author":"Martin S","year":"2020","unstructured":"Martin S, Liebel FX, Fadda A, Lazzerini K, Harcourt-Brown T. Same-day surgery may reduce the risk of losing pain perception in dogs with thoracolumbar disc extrusion. J Small Anim Pract. 2020;61(7):442-448. doi:10.1111\/jsap.13147"},{"issue":"5","key":"ref17","series-title":"J Am Anim Hosp Assoc","first-page":"664","article-title":"Blunt spinal trauma in the dog and cat: neurologic, radiologic, and therapeutic correlations","volume":"16","author":"Feeney DA","year":"1980","unstructured":"Feeney DA, Oliver JE. Blunt spinal trauma in the dog and cat: neurologic, radiologic, and therapeutic correlations. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 1980;16(5):664-668."},{"issue":"2","key":"ref18","series-title":"Exp Neurol","first-page":"421","article-title":"Effects of training on the recovery of full-weight-bearing stepping in the adult spinal cat","volume":"92","author":"Lovely RG","year":"1986","unstructured":"Lovely RG, Gregor RJ, Roy RR, Edgerton VR. Effects of training on the recovery of full-weight-bearing stepping in the adult spinal cat. Exp Neurol. 1986;92(2):421-435. doi:10.1016\/0014-4886(86)90094-4"},{"issue":"1","key":"ref19","series-title":"Brain Res","first-page":"84","article-title":"Recovery of locomotion after chronic spinalization in the adult cat","volume":"412","author":"Barbeau H","year":"1987","unstructured":"Barbeau H, Rossignol S. Recovery of locomotion after chronic spinalization in the adult cat. Brain Res. 1987;412(1):84-95. doi:10.1016\/0006-8993(87)91442-9"},{"issue":"12","key":"ref20","series-title":"Vet Rec","first-page":"285","article-title":"Spinal trauma in dogs and cats: a review of 51 cases","volume":"126","author":"McKee WM","year":"1990","unstructured":"McKee WM. Spinal trauma in dogs and cats: a review of 51 cases. Vet Rec. 1990;126(12):285-289."},{"key":"ref21","series-title":"Veterinary Neuroanatomy and Clinical Neurology","first-page":"102","article-title":"Lower motor neuron: spinal nerve, general somatic efferent system","author":"de Lahunta A","year":"2015","unstructured":"de Lahunta A, Glass E, Kent M. Lower motor neuron: spinal nerve, general somatic efferent system. In: Veterinary Neuroanatomy and Clinical Neurology. 4th ed. Elsevier Saunders; 2015:102\u2013161."},{"issue":"1","key":"ref22","series-title":"J Bone Joint Surg Am","first-page":"110","article-title":"Experimental lumbar spinal stenosis: analysis of the cortical evoked potentials, microvasculature, and histopathology","volume":"72","author":"Delamarter RB","year":"1990","unstructured":"Delamarter RB, Bohlman HH, Dodge LD, Biro C. Experimental lumbar spinal stenosis: analysis of the cortical evoked potentials, microvasculature, and histopathology. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1990;72(1):110-120. doi:10.2106\/00004623-199072010-00018"},{"issue":"23","key":"ref23","series-title":"Animals (Basel)","first-page":"3233","article-title":"Neurogenic bladder in dogs, cats and humans: a comparative review of neurological diseases","volume":"12","author":"Gernone F","year":"2022","unstructured":"Gernone F, Uva A, Cavalera MA, Zatelli A. Neurogenic bladder in dogs, cats and humans: a comparative review of neurological diseases. Animals (Basel). 2022;12(23):3233. doi:10.3390\/ani12233233"},{"issue":"9","key":"ref24","series-title":"Spinal Cord","first-page":"503","article-title":"Does early decompression improve neurological outcome of spinal cord injured patients? Appraisal of the literature using a meta-analytical approach","volume":"42","author":"La Rosa G","year":"2004","unstructured":"La Rosa G, Conti A, Cardali S, Cacciola F, Tomasello F. Does early decompression improve neurological outcome of spinal cord injured patients? Appraisal of the literature using a meta-analytical approach. Spinal Cord. 2004;42(9):503-512. doi:10.1038\/sj.sc.3101627"},{"issue":"11 suppl","key":"ref25","series-title":"Spine (Phila Pa 1976)","first-page":"S28","article-title":"The timing of surgical intervention in the treatment of spinal cord injury: a systematic review of recent clinical evidence","volume":"31","author":"Fehlings MG","year":"2006","unstructured":"Fehlings MG, Perrin RG. The timing of surgical intervention in the treatment of spinal cord injury: a systematic review of recent clinical evidence. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2006;31(11 suppl):S28-S35. doi:10.1097\/01.brs.0000217973.11402.7f"},{"issue":"2","key":"ref26","series-title":"Asian J Neurosurg","first-page":"199","article-title":"Early versus delayed surgical decompression in spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"20","author":"Vasquez-Paredes G","year":"2024","unstructured":"Vasquez-Paredes G, Zavaleta-Corvera C, Caballero-Alvarado J. Early versus delayed surgical decompression in spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Asian J Neurosurg. 2024;20(2):199-210. doi:10.1055\/s-0044-1801373"},{"issue":"21","key":"ref27","series-title":"J Neurotrauma","first-page":"2927","article-title":"Early versus late surgical decompression for traumatic spinal cord injury on neurological recovery: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"38","author":"Hsieh YL","year":"2021","unstructured":"Hsieh YL, Tay J, Hsu SH,  Early versus late surgical decompression for traumatic spinal cord injury on neurological recovery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neurotrauma. 2021;38(21):2927-2936. doi:10.1089\/neu.2021.0102"},{"issue":"6","key":"ref28","series-title":"Vet Surg","first-page":"680","article-title":"Accuracy of conventional radiography and computed tomography in predicting implant position in relation to the vertebral canal in dogs","volume":"39","author":"Hettlich BF","year":"2010","unstructured":"Hettlich BF, Fosgate GT, Levine JM,  Accuracy of conventional radiography and computed tomography in predicting implant position in relation to the vertebral canal in dogs. Vet Surg. 2010;39(6):680-687. doi:10.1111\/j.1532-950X.2010.00697.x"}],"container-title":["Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/avmajournals.avma.org\/view\/journals\/javma\/aop\/javma.26.05.0331\/javma.26.05.0331.xml","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/avmajournals.avma.org\/downloadpdf\/journals\/javma\/aop\/javma.26.05.0331\/javma.26.05.0331.xml","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,2]],"date-time":"2026-10-02T12:37:45Z","timestamp":1790944665000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/avmajournals.avma.org\/view\/journals\/javma\/aop\/javma.26.05.0331\/javma.26.05.0331.xml"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,2]]},"references-count":28,"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2460\/javma.26.05.0331","relation":{},"ISSN":["0003-1488"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0003-1488","type":"print"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,2]]}}}