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Use of bathroom scales in measuring asymmetry of hindlimb static weight bearing in dogs with osteoarthritis

Summary:

The study assessed the use and reliability of bathroom scales as an objective measurement tool, and setting a normal variance of static weight bearing between hindlimbs.

Conclusion:

The difference between the hindlimbs proportional to the body weight in control dogs was 3.3% (± 2.7%). The repeatability of measuring static weight bearing in the hindlimbs of osteoarthritic dogs with bathroom scales was 81% with osteoarthritic limbs, and 70% for unaffected limbs. The sensitivity of static weight bearing measurements using bathroom scales was 39% and specificity 85%.

Author & Journal:H. K. Hyytiäinen et al, Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2012;25(5):390-6. doi: 10.3415/VCOT-11-09-0135. Epub 2012 Jul 25.
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Diagnostic imaging of canine elbow dysplasia: a review.

Summary:

Canine elbow dysplasia (CED) is a common developmental disorder of the cubital joint of dogs. CED is comprised of fragmented medial coronoid process (FMCP), ununited anconeal process (UAP), osteochondrosis (OC), and elbow incongruity. Multiple imaging modalities have been used to assess this complex of disorders and the severity of the pathologic changes. Radiography has been used as a surveying tool for assessment of CED for many years. Recently, alternate techniques and modalities have expanded our knowledge of CED and our clinical approach to this disorder. Nuclear medicine has been used to aid in localizing lameness to the elbow joint. Ultrasonography has proven helpful for imaging the soft tissue structures adjacent to the joint as well as superficial bone abnormalities, including visualization of FMCP. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are advanced imaging modalities that allow visualization of the elbow in multiple planes and into three-dimensional reconstructions, thus allowing lesions to be more accurately and comprehensively visualized. Assessment of elbow incongruity in particular has been benefitted by these advanced imaging techniques because of the importance of sagittal and dorsal plane imaging and reconstructions for accurately determining the relationships between radial and ulnar articular surfaces.

Conclusion:

Comparative studies using multiple techniques and imaging modalities with correlation to reference standards and patient outcomes will be vital to continued progress in this area.

Author & Journal:Cook CR, et al, Vet Surg 2009 38:144-153
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Canine ovariohysterectomy and orchiectomy increases the prevalence of ACL injury.

Summary:

To determine whether canine ovariohysterectomy or orchiectomy affects the prevalence of anterior cruciate ligament injury, we compared injury rates of anterior cruciate ligaments of animals that had gonadectomy and animals that were sexually intact as a function of gender, breed, or size.

Conclusion:

Sterilization of either gender increased the prevalence of anterior cruciate ligament injury, suggesting a potential effect of gonadal gender on prevalence of injury of this ligament.

Author & Journal:Slauterbeck JR, et al, Clin Orthop Relat Res. 429:301-305, 2004
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Comparison of Force Plate Gait Analysis and Owner Assessment of Pain Using the Canine Brief Pain Inventory in Dogs with Osteoarthritis

Summary:

Evaluate the relationship between CBPI pain severity (PS) and interference (PI) scores with the vertical forces of FPGA as efficacy measures in canine osteoarthritis.

Conclusion:

In these dogs with hind limb or forelimb osteoarthritis, owner assessment of chronic painusing the CBPI and assessment of lameness using FPGA detected significant improvement in dogs treated with carprofen. The lack of correlation or concordance between the change in owner scores and vertical forces suggests that owners were focused on behaviors other than lameness when making efficacy evaluations in their dogs.

Author & Journal:D.C. Brown, et al, J Vet Intern Med 2013;27:22–30
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Computed tomography versus arthroscopy for detection of canine elbow dysplasia lesions.

Summary:

To describe associations between computed tomography (CT) and arthroscopy in dogs with elbow dysplasia lesions.

Conclusion:

Some CT signs are significantly associated with arthroscopic features of elbow dysplasia lesions in dogs; however, other CT signs were not associated with arthroscopic findings, and CT and arthroscopy can provide contradictory information. Osteophyte size is moderately correlated with cartilage erosion of the medial joint compartment.

Author & Journal:Moores AP, et al, Vet Surg 2008 37:390-398
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Prevalence of and risk factors for hip dysplasia and cranial cruciate ligament deficiency in dogs

Summary:

To evaluate prevalence of and risk factors for hip dysplasia (HD) and cranial cruciate ligament deficiency (CCLD) in dogs and determine change in prevalence over time.

Conclusion:

Results suggested that sex, age, and breed were risk factors for HD, CCLD, or both in dogs and that prevalences of HD and CCLD have increased over time.

Author & Journal:Witsberger TH, et al JAVMA 232:1818-1824, 2008
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Face validity of a proposed tool for staging osteoarthritis: Canine OsteoArthritis Staging Tool (COAST).

Summary:

This article outlines the rationale and thought processes behind the construction of this proposed instrument and the ‘item generation’ — determination by expert opinion of what the instrument should contain and look like (face validity). It gives a detailed overview of COAST, and practical details on how it is proposed to be used.

Conclusion:

This report describes a novel instrument developed by an expert panel to facilitate diagnosis of OA through standardized and guided assessment. Ultimately, an effective staging tool like this may help improve pain control and general clinical management of dogs with OA by providing standardized ‘scores’ over time that can be related to treatment efforts. With COAST, the authors are proposing a schematic approach to diagnosing and staging canine OA, utilizing inputs from the pet owner and from the veterinarian consultation and examination.

Author & Journal:Cachon T, Frykman O, Innes JF, et al, Vet J 2018
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