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This retrospective observational study aimed to characterize the severity and distribution of OA in the stifle joints of small and medium dogs with CCL injury and/or MPL. Radiographs of the stifle joints from 218 dogs from 10 small and medium breeds were included; 127 joints had CCL injury, 76 joints had MPL, and 73 joints had CCL injury and MPL. OA was graded at 33 sites within the joint. The mean ± SD OA score was 20.3 ± 9.9. For all joints, OA was more severe in heavier than lighter dogs (P = 0.003). Joints with MPL (14.9 ± 8.2) had lower OA scores than joints with CCL injury (22.2 ± 10.0, P = 0.003) or CCL injury and MPL (22.6 ± 9.4, P < 0.001). OA scores were higher in joints with MPL for older dogs (r = 0.408, P < 0.001) but did not change with age in joints with CCL injury. The pattern of OA did not differ among joints with CCL injury or MPL. The retrospective nature of the study limited findings to associations but did not allow conclusions regarding factors causing OA or enhancing its progression. We concluded that, in small‐ and medium‐breed dogs, the patterns of stifle OA joint after CCL injury and MPL are similar. Radiographic OA after CCL injury is more severe than MPL. An increase in age leads to an increase in OA at the time of presentation at a referral hospital in stifle joints with MPL and without CCL injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

18F‐Sodium Fluoride (18F‐NaF) positron emission tomography (PET) provides high resolution functional information about bone activity and can be fused with CT images to improve three‐dimensional localization and characterization of lesions. This prospective, observational study assessed 18F‐NaF PET‐CT for imaging of canine elbows, compared PET with CT findings, and assessed correlation with lameness. Twelve patients with elbow pain were included. Cases included primarily young, large breed dogs. A three‐level clinical lameness score was assigned to each forelimb. All dogs had bilateral elbow joints imaged with CT and PET under general anesthesia, approximately 1.5 h after intravenous injection of 3 MBq/kg of 18F‐NaF. Imaging findings were independently reviewed by two radiologists using a three‐level scoring scheme over nine anatomical regions in the elbow. PET imaging identified areas of bone activity where minimal change was identified on CT. PET imaging also demonstrated absence of uptake in areas where modeling was present on CT. A stronger correlation was observed between clinical grades and PET scores (r2 = 0.38, P =.001) than between clinical grades and CT scores (r2 = 0.17, P =.048). The total PET scores were significantly different for each clinical grade (P =.013) but total CT scores did not differ (P =.139). This exploratory study suggests that PET improves the ability to detect lesions and to determine the clinical significance of CT findings in dogs with elbow pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoarthritis is a ubiquitous disease in dogs. The purpose of this retrospective studywas to characterize the severity and distribution of osteoarthritis (OA) within the joint and to identify differences among dog breeds in the severity ofOAin the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL)-deficient stifle joint. Radiographs of 240 stifles from 51 Boxers, 66 German Shepherds, 100 Labrador Retrievers, and 23 Siberian Huskies with confirmed CCL rupture were included. Radiographs of the stifle joint were evaluated and OA severity was graded at 33 sites within and around the joint, and patella alta was graded as present or absent for a potential total stifle OA score of 100. Osteophyte size was correlated to OA severity score. Total OA scores were calculated and compared within and between breeds globally as well as at each joint site. Dogs weighing >35 kg had a higher total OA score than those weighing <35 kg. Osteoarthritis scores were highest at the apical patella, proximolateral tibia, and sesamoid bones, corresponding to the proximal, lateral, and caudal aspects of the joint, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found among the mean OA scores of various stifle joint regions. Boxer dogs had a higher total OA score than other breeds. We concluded that dogs have a consistent distribution pattern of OA within the stifle joint after CCL injury. Radiographic OA is more severe in the proximal, lateral, and caudal aspects of the joint. Boxers had more severeOA than the other breeds evaluated in the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate a novel surgery aimed at managing concurrent medial patellar luxation (MPL) and cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) ruptures in dogs weighing more than 30 kg. Methods: Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) and femoral trochleopasty were performed. The principal tibial fragment was laterally translated by 3 to 6 mm and was externally and abaxially rotated to create a wedge measuring 1·5 to 2·5 mm at the medial and cranial aspect and 1 to 3 mm at the medial and distal aspect of the tibial plateau fragment. The fragments were stabilised with a narrow TPLO plate. Results: Thirteen surgeries were performed in 12 dogs with a mean weight of 39·8 kg. The mean postoperative tibial plateau slope was 8·1°. Additional surgery was required in two cases, one due to failure of fixation and another due to screw breakage. The mean lameness score was 3·5 (out of 5) before surgery, 0·7 after 8 to 12 weeks, and 0·3 at final follow-up. Median follow-up was 1115 days (range, 270 to 2040 days). No patella luxated after surgery. Clinical Significance: MPL and CCL ruptures may be successfully managed by performing a TPLO and simultaneously altering the relationship of the principal and tibial plateau fragments during surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the neurobiology of pain in naturally occurring models of osteoarthritis (OA) may improve the understanding of human OA pain. Both COX and LOX have been associated with joint pain. This study evaluated COX-1, COX-2, and 5-LOX expression and activity in a naturally occurring canine model of secondary OA. Hip joint capsule with synovial tissue (HJC) and femoral head subchondral bone (FH) was collected from normal dogs and dogs undergoing total hip replacement for coxofemoral joint OA. Tissues were analyzed for COX-1, COX-2, and LOX protein, and PGE2 and LTB4. Significantly more COX-2 protein was present in OA HJC than normal joints ( p = 0.0009). There was no significant difference in COX-1 or LOX protein, although LOX protein was increased ( p = 0.069). PGE2 concentration in normal and OA HJC was similar ( p = 1.0). LTB4 concentration in OA HJC was significantly greater than normal HJC ( p = 0.028). Significantly more COX-1 ( p = 0.0098), COX-2 ( p = 0.0028), and LOX ( p = 0.0095) protein was present in OA FH tissue compared to normal FH tissue. There were no differences in PGE2 or LTB4 concentration in normal and OA FH tissue ( p = 0.77 and p = 0.11). Together, these data suggest both COX-2 and 5-LOX are appropriate targets for the management of pain associated with naturally occurring OA. © 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to define the rate of progression of radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) of the canine hip joint and to describe factors affecting this progression. Methods: Dogs that underwent unilateral total hip replacement (THR) were reviewed for the evaluation of radiographic appearance of the non‐operated hip joint over time. Standard extended ventrodorsal hip radiographs were taken preoperatively and postoperatively. All images were anonymized, randomized and scored using three different methods. The mean daily change between evaluations was calculated in each individual dog, and the effect of sex, age, body weight, open/closed status of the proximal femoral physis, preoperative severity of OA, time after surgery and their interactions, were investigated as potential influencing factors. Results: After reviewing the medical records, 163 dogs (468 images) met the inclusion criteria. Consistent across the three scoring systems, radiographic progression of OA was greater in younger (open physis) and spayed female dogs. A subset of seven patients (4.3%) had a faster progression of OA and was considered outliers. No dog was rated as outlier by all three scoring systems. Conclusion: The rate of progression of radiographically assessed coxofemoral OA varies greatly, but is faster in younger, spayed female dogs. Unusually fast progression occasionally occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the clinical observation that dogs with a steep tibial plateau slope had variable tibial morphology, we hypothesized that these dogs could be further characterized using measurements developed by examining computer generated models of specific proximal tibial malformations. A 3D tibial model was created from a normal canine tibia. The model was manipulated to reproduce two specific proximal tibial anomalies representing deformities originating from the tibial plateau or the proximal tibial shaft. Data from these models were used to create specific measurements that would characterize the shape of these anomalies. These measurements included the diaphyseal tibial axis (DTA)/proximal tibial axis (PTA) angle, which defined the orientation of the proximal portion of the shaft in relation to the tibial mid-shaft. These measurements were then made on radiographs of dogs with and without cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture. Models with tibial plateau and proximal shaft deformities had a steep tibial plateau slope (TPS). Models with proximal shaft deformity had a markedly increased DTA/PTA angle. The model with a 10° proximal shaft deformity had a DTA/PTA angle of 11.23°. Six dogs (9.0%) had a DTA/PTA angle larger than 11.23° (range, 11.4–13.9°). Dogs in this group had ruptured CCL and a steep TPS. Dogs with CCL rupture had higher TPS (mean, 31.8±4.1°) and DTA/PTA angle (mean, 6.0±3.3°) than dogs without CCL rupture (means, 23.6±3.4° and 4.1±2.2°, respectively). Dogs with proximal shaft deformity represented a distinct group, which could not be identified using the magnitude of the TPS alone. Characterizing more precisely the shape of the proximal portion of the tibia in dogs contributes to our understanding of the pathogenesis of steep TPS and may facilitate the optimization of the surgical management of dogs with CCL rupture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To report femoral nerve dysfunction caused by focal iliopsoas muscle injury and treated by performing tenectomy of the muscle insertion. Study Design Case report. Animals A 4-year-old, castrated male, English Mastiff. Results Iliopsoas muscle injury caused femoral nerve deficits and severe pain. Focal injury was not detected by ultrasonography or computed tomography but was visible on magnetic resonance (MRI) images. Tenectomy of the insertion of the iliopsoas muscle relieved signs of pain. Conclusions Femoral nerve dysfunction may occur with iliopsoas muscle injury. Clinical Relevance Iliopsoas muscle injury should be considered in patients with hip pain and MRI is a useful test for diagnosis. Tenectomy may be indicated for relief of chronic iliopsoas muscle pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]