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References

Tibial tuberosity advancement in 65 canine stifles.

Summary:

The tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) procedure was developed to treat dogs with cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifles. A retrospective, descriptive study was performed on 57 dogs that underwent unilateral or bilateral TTA.

Conclusion:

TTA subjectively appears to be a useful alternative in the management of cranial cruciate ligament disease. Few severe complications were encountered. Good clinical outcome and owner satisfaction was reported with the procedure in this set of cases.

Author & Journal:2. Hoffmann DE, et al, Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 19:219–227, 2006
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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
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Timely Topics in Nutrition: An overview of fatty acids in companion animal medicine

Summary:

Fatty acids have a number of important roles in the body. These include, among others, serving as a source of fuel, transporting fat-soluble vitamins, serving structural functions as part of cell membranes, and being involved in cell regulation and signaling. Fatty acids are also used for the management of disease, giving them a unique role as a nutraceutical, which is a nutrient that has properties of a drug. The objective of the information reported here is to provide an overview of topics related to fatty acids and to improve general understanding of these topics.

Conclusion:

Although lipid biochemical processes are a complicated topic, veterinarians should have a basic understanding of fatty acids and their impact on health and disease in companion animals. It is important for veterinarians to understand that different sources and types of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids do not have the same functions, and that animals of all life stages require both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in their diet. In addition to the fact that they are essential for physiologic tissue function, fatty acids can modulate disease and influence growth and development. The provision of supplemental omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids can result in adverse effects.

Author & Journal:Catherine E. Lenox, DVM, J Am Vet Med Assoc.
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Timely Topics in Nutrition: An overview of fatty acids in companion animal medicine.

Author & Journal:Lenox CE, J Am Vet Med Assoc 2015;246:1198-1202
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Total joint replacement in the dog.

Summary:

Total joint replacement has evolved over the past 50 years from a concept that was first attempted in people suffering from osteoarthritis to a commonly applied practice in veterinary medicine. Although many questions have been answered, several controversies still exist, with many implant and technical options being explored.

Conclusion:

Currently, total hip and elbow replacement are commercially available options viable for use in dogs. These options are detailed in this article. Joint replacement for other canine joints (ie, knee, hock, shoulder) that develop osteoarthritis likely will be developed in the near future.

Author & Journal:Conzemius MG, et al, Vet Clin North Am Small Anim 2005
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Triple pelvic osteotomy: effect on limb function and progression of degenerative joint disease

Summary:

The objective of this study was to evaluate prospectively the outcome of 21 clinical patients treated with triple pelvic osteotomies during the year following surgery.

Conclusion:

Twelve dogs were treated unilaterally and nine dogs were treated bilaterally with triple pelvic osteotomies. There were no differences in mean anteversion angles, angles of inclination, or preoperative DJD between treated hips and untreated hips. Degenerative joint diseaseprogressed significantly in all hips regardless of treatment. Two cases developed hyperextension of their hocks after the triple pelvicosteotomies. However, no radiographic evidence of DJD was observed for any of the stifles or hocks at any observation time. A significant increase in vertical peak force (VPF) scores was noted for treated legs by two-to-three months after surgery, which continued over time. Untreated legs did not show a significant change in VPF scores over time. No differences were found in progression to higher scores when unilaterally treated legs, first-side treated legs, and second-side treated legs were compared.

Author & Journal:Johnson AL, et al, J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 1998 May-Jun;34(3):260-4
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Understanding the relationship between body weight and osteoarthritis

Summary:

Overweight people are at high risk of developing knee osteoarthritis (OA) and may also be at increased risk of hand and hip OA.

Conclusion:

There are a paucity of data on weight loss as a treatment for OA, but preliminary information suggests it is especially effective in knee disease and that even small amounts of weightreduction may have favourable effects.

Author & Journal:Felson DT, et al, Ballieres clin Rheumatol 11: 671-681, 1997
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Understanding the relationship between body weight and osteoarthritis.

Summary:

Overweight people are at high risk of developing knee osteoarthritis (OA) and may also be at increased risk of hand and hip OA. Furthermore, being overweight accelerates disease progression in knee OA. While the increased joint stress accompanying obesity may explain the strong linkage between obesity and knee OA risk, it does not necessarily explain why obese people have a high risk of disease in the hand nor why obese women are at higher comparative risk of knee disease than obese men. Unfortunately, studies of metabolic factors linked to obesity have not provided an explanation for these findings.

Conclusion:

There are a paucity of data on weight loss as a treatment for OA, but preliminary information suggests it is especially effective in knee disease and that even small amounts of weightreduction may have favourable effects.

Author & Journal:Felson DT, et al, Ballieres clin Rheumatol 11: 671-681, 1997
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Ununited anconeal process: lag-screw fixation with proximal ulnar osteotomy

Summary:

The aim of this study was to determine if internal fixation of the anconeus combined with a proximal ulnar osteotomy was more likely to result in fusion of the anconeus to the ulna compared with a proximal ulnar osteotomy alone.

Conclusion:

total of 47 elbows (44 dogs) were identified. Of these, 28 cases (average age 7.6 months) were treated with proximal ulnarosteotomy (of which eight were stabilised with an intramedullary pin) alone. Nineteen cases (average age 7.1 months) were treated with proximal ulnar osteotomy + internal fixation. The two groups were not significantly different in age (P=0.638, Mann-Whitney U test). Fourteen of 28 cases with proximal ulnar osteotomy alone displayed anconeal union at follow-up compared with 16 of 19 cases of proximal ulnar osteotomy + internal fixation, and this difference was statistically significant (P=0.029, Fisher’s exact test).

Author & Journal:Krotscheck U, et al, V Comp Ortho Trauma 13:212-216
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Update on the aetiopathogenesis of canine cranial cruciate ligament disease.

Summary:

Cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD) is the most common cause of hindlimb lameness in the dog, being associated with and eventually leading to stifle osteoarthritis.

Conclusion:

Conformation abnormalities, such as a narrowed distal femoral intercondylar notch, in high risk breeds have been shown to be associated with alterations in cranial cruciate ligament ultrastructure. Increased production of inflammatory cytokines, such as cathepsins and interleukins, by the stifle synovial cells may occur secondary to or may be an inciting cause of ligament degeneration. Future research endeavours will focus on the association between immune-mediated response and fibrocartilaginous metaplasia and matrix degradation within the cranial cruciate ligament, and whether this can be altered in all susceptible dogs or only certain breeds.

Author & Journal:Comerford EJ, et al, Vet Comp Ortho Traumatol 24:91-98, 2011
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