Arthroscopic approach and anatomy of the stifle joint in the rabbit.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a technique and normal findings for arthroscopy of the stifle in rabbits.

STUDY DESIGN: Cadaver study.

ANIMALS: Twenty cadaveric stifles from New Zealand White rabbits were examined.

METHODS: The arthroscope was placed through a medial portal, and instrument portals were created on the lateral aspect of the joint. The same portals were used for examination of the entire joint and palpation of structures with a probe.

RESULTS: Structures identified in the proximal aspect of the stifle included the suprapatellar pouch, suprapatella, patella, medial and lateral proximal recesses, medial and lateral trochlear ridges, trochlear groove. Structures identified in the distal aspect of the joint included the cranial and caudal cruciate ligaments, medial and lateral menisci, medial and lateral femoral condyles, the long digital extensor tendon, and the cranial meniscal ligaments were identified. All of the proximal structures could be seen in 16/20 limbs. Distally, the cranial cruciate ligament could be identified and manipulated most often (17/20 limbs), followed by the caudal cruciate ligament (11/20), the menisci (9/20), and condyles (9/20). The average examination time was 27 minutes. There was a variably present femorotibial membrane.

CONCLUSION: We conclude that the arthoscopic evaluation of the stifle in rabbits is a viable surgical approach and could be used for rabbit models or to examine clinical cases with stifle pathology. Precise portal placement and adequate infrapatellar fat pad debridement were critical for success.