“To develop a visual analogue scale (VAS) questionnaire that is repeatable and valid for use in assessing pain and lameness in dogs.”
“The VAS questionnaire was repeatable and valid for use in assessing the degree of mild to moderate lameness in dogs.”
To determine the effects of an omega-3 fatty acid and protein-enriched diet, physical rehabilitation, or both on radiographicfindings and markers of synovial inflammation in dogs following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy and arthroscopic surgery for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament disease. DESIGN Randomized, prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS 48 dogs with unilateral cranial cruciate ligament disease.
Results suggested that feeding the TF can result in lower synovial fluid PGE2 concentrations and that both the TF and rehabilitation can reduce progression of osteoarthritis in the 6 months following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy; clinical relevance of slower osteotomy healing in dogs fed the TF was unclear.
To evaluate factors associated with lameness severity and hip joint range of motion in dogs with hip dysplasia and to assess the association between hip joint range of motion and degree of lameness.
Conclusion:Longer daily exercise duration was associated with lower lameness scores in dogs with hip dysplasia. Dogs with hip joint luxation secondary to hip dysplasia had higher lameness scores than did dogs without hip joint luxation.
To describe clinical features of dogs < 2 years old with rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) and to evaluate breed, sex, and body weight as risk factors.
Several large breeds of dogs are predisposed to rupture of the CCL at a young age.
Canine elbow dysplasia is a complex of diseases that includes ununited anconeal process, fragmented medial coronoid process, osteochondrosis of the medial humeral condyle, and elbow incongruity. Three causes of elbow dysplasia have been proposed: osteochondrosis, trochlear notch dysplasia, and asynchronous growth of the radius and ulna.
To measure one and two year effects of juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS) in puppies defined as ‘at-risk’ for canine hip dysplasia (CHD) using the following objective hip conformation criteria: Acetabular angle (AA), dorsal acetabular rim angle (DARA) and hip laxity (PennHIP© distraction index (DI).
Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis surgery at 12-24 weeks of age significantly improved hip conformation and decreased laxity in at-risk CHD dogs. Early-age (12 to 16 week) recognition of hip laxity offered greater JPS benefits than surgery performed at 19- to 24-weeks-old. Dogs with severe laxity (DI≥0.70) continued to increase in osteoarthritis. An early (12-16 weeks) positive laxity test (Ortolani) should alert one to obtain objective laxity determinations (PennHIP© DI).
To determine the clinical effects of juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS) treatment in hip dysplasia-prone puppies with comparison to similar untreated control puppies.
In JPS dogs with preoperative mild to moderate hip laxity (DI = 0.40-0.69), insignificant osteoarthritis occurred at two years. Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis surgery also improved other clinical criteria (Ortolani, HRA, hip pain, N-DIS). Osteoarthritis was generally not prevented by JPS in dogs with initial severely lax hips (DI≥0.70). Juvenile pubic symphysiodesissurgery at 12 to 24 weeks of age was an effective and safe pre-emptive bilateral treatment for mild to moderate hip dysplasia.
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.
“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.”
Osteochondrosis, a common developmental orthopedic disease in immature dogs, is caused by a disturbance in the process of endochondral ossification. The cause is undetermined, but numerous factors, including growth rate, genetics, and nutrition, have been implicated. Osteochondrosis typically affects the shoulder, elbow, stifle, or hock joint, causing lameness, joint effusion, and osteoarthritis.
A thorough physical examination and proper radiographic technique are integral to the diagnosis of osteochondrosis. n Treatment usually requires surgical intervention to remove the cartilaginous flaps and promote the ingrowth of repair.
Fragmented medial coronold process and ununited anconeal process are common developmental orthopedic diseases that affect the cubital joint in immature large-breed dogs. Several factors, including genetics, nutrition, and diet, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of both diseases. Lameness and joint pain are common clinical signs and may develop as early as 4 months of age.
Early diagnosis allows initiation of proper medical or surgical treatment and may minimize the progression of osteoarthritis.
