Veterinary Orthopedics

OBJECTIVE:  The aim of this study was to assess if the level of osteotomy (50 or 75% the length of the humerus), osteotomy angle (5, 10, or 20 degrees), direction of bone alteration (external rotational or medial opening wedge osteotomies), or orientation of osteotomy (perpendicular to the humeral long axis or perpendicular to the weight-bearing axis of the limb) affect pressure through the medial compartment of the elbow. STUDY DESIGN:  Humeral osteotomies were performed at 50 and 75% the length of the humerus on 12 canine cadaver thoracic limbs and patient-specific three-dimensional (3D) printed plates applied to induce the desired alteration...

Two adult dogs were presented at 25 and 30 days following tibial external skeletal fixator placement (case 1) and tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (case 2), respectively. Clinical signs at presentation for each of them included acute onset lethargy, non-weight-bearing lameness, and hemorrhage at the surgical site with large hematoma formation. On admission, emergency whole blood transfusion was required in case 2 with a preoperative packed cell volume of 13%. Both dogs were diagnosed with pseudoaneurysm of the cranial tibial artery based on color Doppler ultrasonography...

The management of unowned cats is an emerging problem, with public institutions and citizens' concerns regarding their care and arrangement. Little is known regarding the outcome of traumatic orthopedic injuries in these patients. Indeed, complete functional recovery (CFR) should be the goal of treatment for return to their original location or adoption. The aim was to identify clinical factors influencing CFR in traumatized unowned cats with orthopedic lesions. This category of cats referred by the veterinary public service over three years was enrolled...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of viscoelastic parameters along with Hct percentages, platelet numbers, and fibrinogen concentrations in healthy dogs undergoing elective stifle arthroscopy and tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). These results determine if dogs are in a normal, hypocoagulable, or hypercoagulable state at 4 different time points. ANIMALS: Prospective study of 37 client-owned dogs enrolled between February 2, 2022, and November 10, 2022. METHODS: All dogs received a standardized anesthetic protocol...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of an induced synostosis with a screw on pronation and supination in cats. STUDY DESIGN: Ex vivo biomechanical study. SAMPLE POPULATION: A total of 58 feline forelimbs. METHODS: A total of 58 cadaveric feline thoracic limbs were mounted on a custom-built jig with the elbow and carpus flexed at a 90° angle. To exclude any orthopedic disease, radiographs of the forelimbs were performed prior to the mechanical tests...

BACKGROUND: No available literature supports the claim that the patellar and withdrawal (flexor) reflexes are the only reliable segmental reflexes in dogs. OBJECTIVE: Measure intra- and interobserver agreement of 8 segmental reflexes in dogs without clinical evidence of orthopedic or neurologic disease. ANIMALS: One-hundred and one client- or staff-owned dogs between 1 and 10 years of age with no clinical evidence of orthopedic disease, myelopathy, or neuromuscular disease...

INTRODUCTION:  Arthroscopy is a well-established diagnostic modality for various orthopaedic conditions in veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to describe the relationship of canine shoulder arthroscopy portals to major muscular, ligamentous, and neurovascular structures for anatomical and safety considerations. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  Arthroscopic exploration of 20 adult canine cadaver shoulders was performed. Each shoulder region was dissected layer by layer to the level of the joint...

OBJECTIVE:  The aim of this study was to compare stiffness and strain of an in vitro fracture-gap model secured with a primary 3.5-mm locking compression plate (LCP) at three primary plate working lengths without and with an orthogonal 2.7-mm LCP. STUDY DESIGN:  Primary plate screw configurations modeled short working length (SWL), medium working length (MWL), and long working length (LWL) constructs. Construct stiffness with and without an orthogonal plate during nondestructive four-point bending and torsion, and plate surface strain measured during bending, was analyzed...

OBJECTIVE:  To report the inciting cause and configuration of humeral condylar fractures in French Bulldogs, and to identify risk factors for complications associated with their surgical stabilization, as well as their occurrence. STUDY DESIGN:  Retrospective multicenter clinical cohort study. ANIMALS:  French bulldogs ( n  = 136) with humeral condylar fracture. METHODS:  Records from eight United Kingdom referral centers were reviewed for French bulldogs that underwent surgery for humeral condylar fracture between January 2017 and January 2021...

OBJECTIVE:  The aim of this study was to provide normative ultrashort echo time magnetic resonance imaging (UTE MRI) data of the patellar ligament (PL), cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) and caudal cruciate ligament (CdCL) in non-lame Beagles. STUDY DESIGN:  Eight stifles from four subjects obtained immediately postmortem were imaged using UTE MRI in the true sagittal plane. Regions of interest were drawn manually and the total (T2*), short T2* (T2*S) and long T2* (T2*L) values of the signal decay were calculated to evaluate the bound and free water components of the tendon...

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) radiographic grading system stands as a well-established benchmark for categorizing hip dysplasia in canines. Although more objective techniques to quantify early hip laxity in young dogs, such as the Norberg angle (NA) and distraction index (DI), have been documented, there is a scarcity of published studies that directly compare these radiographic measures. The primary objectives of this prospective, analytical study were to assess and compare the NA and DI measures with OFA grades within a cohort of dogs...

OBJECTIVE:  Surgical stabilization to treat fractures, luxations, and congenital malformations in the thoracic spine can be difficult due to its unique anatomy and surrounding structures. Our objective was to document the morphometrics of the thoracic vertebrae relating to an ideal trajectory for dorsolateral implant placement in a variety of dog sizes and to assess proximity to important adjacent critical anatomical structures using computed tomography (CT) studies. STUDY DESIGN:  Medical records for 30 dogs with thoracic CT were evaluated...

OBJECTIVE:  The aim of this study was to examine the position of the proximal manica flexoria and the proximal scutum under different grades of fetlock joint extension and to describe measurements and compare findings between equine fore- and hindlimbs. STUDY DESIGN:  It was an observational study. RESULTS:  During fetlock joint extension, the proximal manica flexoria and the proximal scutum displace distally relative to the palmar/plantar extent of the sagittal ridge of the cannon bone...

A 4-year-old female spayed French bulldog was presented with a 2-day history of neck pain and left thoracic limb lameness with no neurological deficits. A computed tomography (CT) examination showed a left foraminal T1-2 disc extrusion. Surgical management was performed using a left lateral approach to the vertebral column with a scapular osteotomy. A T1-2 mini-hemilaminectomy was performed. The scapular osteotomy was stabilized with two 2.4-mm locking compression plates. The postoperative CT and radiographic examinations showed adequate decompression of the T1-2 foramen and good reduction in the scapular osteotomy...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic value of plain radiography for diagnosing synovial penetration in limb wounds near synovial structures has not been determined. OBJECTIVES: To assess diagnostic accuracy of plain radiography to identify synovial penetration in horses with traumatic limb wounds. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case study. METHODS: Case records of horses presented to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Ghent University (2011-2021) with limb wounds near synovial structures were categorised in groups with and without synovial penetration using results of synovial fluid analysis and surgical findings...

OBJECTIVES:  The aim of this study was to evaluate and characterize different methods to achieve interfragmentary compression during tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO). STUDY DESIGN:  TPLO was performed in 20 canine tibia models (Sawbones, Vashon, Washington, United States) using 3D-printed guides for standardization. Interfragmentary compression was assessed using pressure-sensitive films (Prescale, Fujifilm, Atherstone, United Kingdom). Seven compression methods were tested: (1) Kern bone holding forceps clamping the craniodistal aspect of the TPLO plate to the caudal aspect of the tibia (K); (2) using the distal TPLO plate dynamic compression hole (P); (3) pointed bone reduction forceps engaging the caudal aspect of the proximal bone fragment and the cranial aspect of the tibial crest (F); (4) K + P; (5) K + F; (6) F + P; and (7) K + F + P...

OBJECTIVE:  The aim of this study was to report postoperative complications and long-term outcomes following transcondylar screw placement for humeral intracondylar fissure (HIF). STUDY DESIGN:  It was a retrospective single-centre case series. Medical records (2018-2022) were reviewed for dogs with HIF treated with transcondylar screw placement. Data collected included signalment, concurrent orthopaedic disease, partial or complete HIF, surgeon, surgical approach, surgical technique and implant type, transcondylar screw angulation, postoperative complications and outcomes...

BACKGROUND: Lameness associated with the distal limb region in dromedary camels is quiet prevalent. The diagnosis of lameness relies on a comprehensive orthopedic examination conjugated with an appropriate imaging modality to achieve a decisive diagnosis. Using of modern imaging tools provoked a significant breakthrough in the diagnosis of lameness. Ultrasonography (US) is widely established in dromedaries, whereas computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are gaining popularity...