DOD

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

Tibial tuberosity transposition-advancement for treatment of medial patellar luxation and concomitant cranial cruciate ligament disease in the dog. Surgical technique, radiographic and clinical outcomes.

Summary:

To report surgical technique, morphometric effects and clinical outcomes for tibial tuberosity transposition-advancement(TTTA), sulcoplasty and para-patellar fascial imbrication for management of concomitant medial patellar luxation (MPL) and cranialcruciate ligament (CCL) disease in 32 dogs.

Conclusion:

Thirty-nine stifles were treated by surgery. Medial patellar luxation grade ranged from II to IV/IV. The CCL rupture was complete in 17/39 stifles, and incomplete in 22/39. Complications occurred in 11/39 stifles including MPL recurrence (n=4). Resolution of subjectively-assessed lameness occurred in 29/39 stifles at the six to eight week assessment. Resolution of lameness was eventually documented in 35/39 stifles (4/39 lost to follow-up), and was maintained at the six to 20 month reassessment where available. The TTTA induced relative patella baja in 31/39 stifles. Magnitude of actual tibial tuberosity advancement was lower than that predicted by cage size.

Author & Journal:Yeadon R, et al, V Comp Orthop Traumatol 2011 24:18-26

Canine Hip Dysplasia: Reviewing the Evidence for Nonsurgical Management

Summary:

This systematic review of available evidence for nonsurgical management of hip dysplasia considered 14 articles and scored nonsurgical management including: activity restrictions, weight management, acupuncture, modulation of joint disease by polysulfated glycosaminoglycans, mesenchymal stem cell therapy, and extra corporeal shock wave therapy.

Conclusion:

“Weight management is an effective and important component of managing dogs with HD and associated osteoarthritis. Techniques that modulate the progression of joint disease may also be beneficial for treating dogs with HD. Further studies are needed to investigate other methods of managing HD such as hydrotherapy and physical rehabilitation.”

Author & Journal:Shaw, Kristin Kirkby et al, Veterinary Surgery, 2012

Comparison of three methods for the management of fragmented medial coronoid process in the dog: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Summary:

The objective of this review and analysis was to compare arthroscopy, medial arthrotomy and medical management for treating fragmented coronoid process in the dog.

Conclusion:

The data come from manuscripts published in peer-reviewed veterinary journals, and the study design is a systematic review followed by meta-analysis. The meta-analysis combines data from a set of studies so that surgical techniques and medial management can be compared in a single analysis. Several literature databases and veterinary texts were thoroughly searched to provide a list of over 400 candidate manuscripts. Inclusion criteria were used to filter the candidate manuscripts to a final set of four manuscripts that directly pertained to the clinical question. They were scored for their evidentiary value using a semi-objective measure.

The results were that arthroscopy was superior to medial arthrotomy and medical management, but medial arthrotomy was not superior to medical management. Only one manuscript was a randomized controlled trial, hence the results must be tempered by the evidentiary value of the data.

Author & Journal:Evans RB, et al, Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2008 21:106-109

Miller’s Anatomy of the Dog 3rd ed.

Author & Journal:Evans HE., 1993

Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy or tibial tuberosity advancement?

Summary:

To review the proposed biomechanical basis of the tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) and tibial tuberosityadvancement (TTA) and recommendations for these techniques.

Conclusion:

There are many similarities between TPLO and TTA although it remains to be fully elucidated if either procedure is superior and under what conditions.

Author & Journal:Boudrieau RJ, Vet Surg. 2009 Jan;38(1):1-22

Comparison of conservative management and juvenile pubic symphysiodesis in the early treatment of canine hip dysplasia

Summary:

To evaluate the efficacy of juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS) in a clinical setting for the early treatment of canine hipdysplasia (CHD), and to identify its indications and contraindications.

Conclusion:

In group 1, 43.2% of the puppies had regression or a lack of progression of the disease in the final evaluation (Grade A & B), 25.9% had mild CHD (Grade C) and 30.9% had moderate and severe CHD (Grade D & E). In group 2, 23.6% of the puppies did not show any development of the disease (Grade A & B), 21.1% had mild CHD (Grade C) and 55.3% developed moderate to severe CHD (Grade D & E). Further investigation was done by comparing the severity of early signs of susceptibility to CHD with the final FCI Grades at adulthood in both groups.

Author & Journal:Vezzoni A, et al, VCOT 2008

Morphology, histology and functional anatomy of the canine cranial cruciate ligament.

Summary:

Morphologically the canine cranial cruciate ligament can be divided into a cranio-medial and caudo-lateral component which perform reciprocal functions at all angles of flexion of the stifle joint. Histologically the main constituents of these two components are bundles of longitudinally orientated collagen fibre.

Conclusion:

The results of the study of the effect of partial and total sectioning of the cranial cruciate ligamenton the “anterior-draw” movement implied that the relatively minor degree of movement, elicited following sectioning of either of the components of the ligament, would not be detected under clinical conditions. For joint instability to be clinically detectable most of the ligament must have ruptured, or the intact portion must have undergone degenerative or disruptive changes.

Author & Journal:Heffron, LE, et al, Vet Rec. 1978 Apr 1;102(13):280-3

Healing and repair of ligament injuries in the knee

Summary:

Although methods of treating ligamentous injuries have continually improved, many questions remain about enhancing the rate, quality, and completeness of ligament healing. It is known that the ability of a torn ligament to heal depends on a variety of factors, including anatomic location, presence of associated injuries, and selected treatment modality. A grade III injury of the medial collateral ligament(MCL) of the knee usually heals spontaneously. Surgical repair followed by immobilization of an isolated MCL tear does not enhance thehealing process. In contrast, tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament often require surgical reconstruction. The MCL component of a combined ACL-MCL injury has a worse prognosis than an isolated MCL injury.

Conclusion:

The results of animal studies suggest that nonoperative treatment of an MCL injury is effective if combined with operative reconstruction of the ACL. Experimentation using animal models has helped to define the effects of ligament location, associated injuries, intrinsic factors, surgical repair, reconstruction, and exercise on ligament healing. New techniques utilizing growth factors and cell and gene therapies may offer the potential to enhance the rate and quality of healing of ligaments of the knee, as well as other ligaments in the body.

Author & Journal:Woo SL, et al, J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2000;8(6):364-372

Elbow incongruity and developmental elbow diseases in the dog: Part II

Author & Journal:Wind AP, et al, J Americ Anim Hosp Assoc 1986 22:725-730