Spotlight on…Fibrocartilaginous Embolism
What is Fibrocartilaginous Embolism (FCE)?
Fibrocartilaginous embolism, often abbreviated to FCE, is sometimes referred to as a ‘spinal stroke’. It is a sudden onset condition affecting the spinal cord. It involves the sudden interruption of the blood supply to part of the spinal cord. This interruption is thought to involve tissue (the fibrocartilage) from the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral discs entering the circulation (embolising) and blocking arteries and/or veins in the spinal cord. We don’t fully understand why this happens, but the blockage caused by the tissue from the intervertebral discs (the fibrocartilaginous emboli) results in a loss of blood supply and the reduction in oxygen leads to the death of that part of the spinal cord.
What are the signs and symptoms of Fibrocartilaginous Embolism?
The clinical signs of FCE are highly variable, what you observe will vary depending on the level of the spinal cord that is damaged. Some dogs may lack coordination. Others may be paralysed. Whilst some might vocalise when the injury occurs, pain is not a feature of this condition.
The signs and symptoms to look out for include:
·Weakness (paresis)
·Unable to move a limb, one side of the body, or the pelvic limbs
·Paralysis
·Unable to urinate
Aside from cases involving complete paralysis (plegia), these signs are often observed to affect only one side. That is, they are asymmetrical. These signs or symptoms will appear suddenly and will not progress after the first 12-24 hours.
How is diagnosed?
Your vet will take a history and will examine your dog. She may strongly suspect an FCE based on the acute onset and the presence of the non-progressive clinical signs previously described. She will likely take an X-ray, mostly to rule out other possible spinal conditions. If you want a definitive diagnosis, she will need to organise a MRI.
What treatments are available? How will treatment help my dog?
There is no specific or medical treatment for fibrocartilaginous embolism. Treatment is therefore supportive in nature. Physiotherapy or rehabilitation plays a key role in this supportive care, and acupuncture may be used alongside modalities such as therapeutic exercise, massage, laser therapy, and hydrotherapy to assist your dog in recovering from the injury to its spinal cord. Regardless of which modalities are used, the rehabilitation programme will be tailored to your dog’s symptoms and will be implemented alongside the nursing care required to promote recovery and prevent complications (for example skin sores, muscle contracture, bladder issues). The recovery period varies depending on the severity and extent of the injury to the spinal cord. It can vary from days, to weeks, or even months, but most dogs show signs of improvement within the first seven to fourteen days. A complete recovery is possible for some dogs, whilst others may continue to have symptoms throughout the rest of their lives and need ongoing therapy.
We have successfully treated cases of FCE using physical rehabilitation, acupuncture and laser therapy. You can view their video stories on our YouTube channel.
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What is Fibrocartilaginous Embolism (FCE)?
Fibrocartilaginous embolism, often abbreviated to FCE, is sometimes referred to as a ‘spinal stroke’. It is a sudden onset condition affecting the spinal cord. It involves the sudden interruption of the blood supply to part of the spinal cord. This interruption is thought to involve tissue (the fibrocartilage) from the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral discs entering the circulation (embolising) and blocking arteries and/or veins in the spinal cord. We don’t fully understand why this happens, but the blockage caused by the tissue from the intervertebral discs (the fibrocartilaginous emboli) results in a loss of blood supply and the reduction in oxygen leads to the death of that part of the spinal cord.
What are the signs and symptoms of Fibrocartilaginous Embolism?
The clinical signs of FCE are highly variable, what you observe will vary depending on the level of the spinal cord that is damaged. Some dogs may lack coordination. Others may be paralysed. Whilst some might vocalise when the injury occurs, pain is not a feature of this condition.
The signs and symptoms to look out for include:
·Weakness (paresis)
·Unable to move a limb, one side of the body, or the pelvic limbs
·Paralysis
·Unable to urinate
Aside from cases involving complete paralysis (plegia), these signs are often observed to affect only one side. That is, they are asymmetrical. These signs or symptoms will appear suddenly and will not progress after the first 12-24 hours.
How is diagnosed?
Your vet will take a history and will examine your dog. She may strongly suspect an FCE based on the acute onset and the presence of the non-progressive clinical signs previously described. She will likely take an X-ray, mostly to rule out other possible spinal conditions. If you want a definitive diagnosis, she will need to organise a MRI.
What treatments are available? How will treatment help my dog?
There is no specific or medical treatment for fibrocartilaginous embolism. Treatment is therefore supportive in nature. Physiotherapy or rehabilitation plays a key role in this supportive care, and acupuncture may be used alongside modalities such as therapeutic exercise, massage, laser therapy, and hydrotherapy to assist your dog in recovering from the injury to its spinal cord. Regardless of which modalities are used, the rehabilitation programme will be tailored to your dog’s symptoms and will be implemented alongside the nursing care required to promote recovery and prevent complications (for example skin sores, muscle contracture, bladder issues). The recovery period varies depending on the severity and extent of the injury to the spinal cord. It can vary from days, to weeks, or even months, but most dogs show signs of improvement within the first seven to fourteen days. A complete recovery is possible for some dogs, whilst others may continue to have symptoms throughout the rest of their lives and need ongoing therapy.
We have successfully treated cases of FCE using physical rehabilitation, acupuncture and laser therapy. You can view their video stories on our YouTube channel.
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back to Home