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DOI: 10.1055/a-2603-0111
Description and Treatment of an OCD Lesion of the Proximal Groove and Medial Ridge of the Femoral Trochlea in a Dog
Funding None.
Abstract
This report describes a hitherto unreported site of stifle osteochondritis dissecans, its surgical treatment and functional outcome. A 7-year-old male Belgian Shepherd with a history of grade 2 left hindlimb lameness of 4 months duration, presented with moderate left hindlimb lameness associated with mild muscle atrophy, stifle effusion and discomfort at stifle manipulation, without any associated instability. Radiographs showed an irregular defect on the proximal part of the femoral trochlea associated with subchondral sclerosis. Arthroscopic findings were consistent with an osteochondritis dissecans lesion of the groove and axial side of the medial ridge of the femoral trochlea and confirmed by histopathological analysis of the removed fragment. Treatment included removal of the osteochondral fragment, debridement and picking of the lesion bed. Four months of follow-up revealed improvement of the lameness despite a persistent slight discomfort in full stifle extension with associated joint effusion. Concurrent magnetic resonance imaging and arthroscopic recheck showed thin fibrocartilage partially covering the treated lesion without any sign of synovitis, with no other stifle injury. Eight months postoperatively, the owners reported satisfactory limb function. This is the first report of stifle osteochondritis dissecans localized in the proximal groove and axial side of the femoral trochlea, successfully treated surgically.
Authors' Contributions
J.M.: Surgeon in charge of the case, collected data, drafted the manuscript, assisted with revision of the manuscript, checked the final manuscript and approved the final manuscript for submission.
G.J.: Second surgeon during the reported surgery, collected data, assisted with revision of the manuscript, checked the final manuscript and approved the final manuscript for submission.
R.T.: Surgeon in charge of the case, performed the reported surgery, assisted with revision of the manuscript, checked the final manuscript and approved the final manuscript for submission.
G.O.: Participated in writing the final manuscript and approved the final manuscript for submission.
M.P.: Surgeon in charge of the case, performed the reported surgery, assisted with a draft of the manuscript and revisions, checked the final manuscript and approved the final manuscript for submission.
Ethical Approval
The authors confirm that the ethical policies of the journal have been adhered to as noted on the journal's author guidelines page. No ethical approval was required as this is a case report with no original research.
Publication History
Received: 31 January 2025
Accepted: 09 April 2025
Article published online:
27 May 2025
© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany
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