Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Medial Trochlear Ridge of the Talus in the Dog

Summary

The medical records of 12 dogs with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the medial trochlear ridge of the talus were reviewed. Long-term treatment results were obtained from client questionnaires and clinical and radiographic re-examinations. After a mean follow-up time of 52 months, only three of 12 dogs treated for OCD of the medial trochlear ridge of the talus had regained full function of the affected joint(s). In all cases available for radiographic re-examination, osteoarthritic changes had progressed. The medial approach to the hock joint by osteotomy of the medial malleolus was associated with a high complication rate.

A meta-analysis of 38 cases (55 joints) of previous clinical studies and the present clinical study indicated that the Labrador Retriever and the Rottweiler were the most frequently affected breeds. Seventy-five percent of the affected Labrador Retrievers and Bull Terriers had bilateral involvement. The data suggested that in young dogs with an acute lameness, due to osteochondritis dissecans of the medial trochlear ridge in the talus, treatment resulted in 18% of the affected limbs in a normal limb function, in 27% in an intermittent lameness and in 55% in a chronic lameness. In dogs with a more chronic lameness, treatment results were better and approximately 40% of the affected limbs returned to normal function, while chronic lameness following treatment was unusual. In dogs older than a year at the time of treatment initiation, treatment became less successful because of the presence of severe osteoarthritic changes before treatment. Only 24% obtained normal limb function following treatment, while in 42% of the dogs treatment resulted in a chronic lameness.

Key words

Osteochondritis dissecans - Talus

^* Dr. Breur’s present address is Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706.

^** Dr. Spaulding’s present address is College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606.

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