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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2020; 33(02): 137-141
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-3400486
Original Research
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Stifle Joint Rotational Variation in Extended Stifles in Healthy Dogs Undergoing Computed Tomography Examinations

Authors

  • Clara M. Allberg

    1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark

  • Fintan J. McEvoy

    1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark

  • Lene E. Buelund

    1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark

  • James E. Miles

    1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark

Funding This study was performed with institutional funding and received no external funding.
Further Information

Publication History

01 March 2019

10 October 2019

Publication Date:
08 January 2020 (online)

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Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate stifle joint rotational stability in response to body position and repositioning in dogs undergoing computed tomography (CT).

Materials and Methods Nine dogs (18 stifles) with no history or clinical signs of stifle injury undergoing CT examinations for other reasons were included in the study. Dogs were positioned in alternating dorsal and sternal recumbency with the pelvic limbs extended caudally and unrestrained, for a total of four examinations. Scans included the entire tibia and distal femur. Using defined landmarks on the tibia and femur, stifle joint rotational angles were measured from multiplanar reconstructions made by two independent observers, and repositioning effects and intra- and interobserver agreement evaluated.

Results Repositioning produced repeatable stifle joint rotational angles (pooled within-subject standard deviations of 0.9° and 1.4°) and intraobserver repeatability was good (within-subject standard deviations 1.4°), but interobserver agreement was poor. Dorsal and sternal positioning produced equivalent results.

Clinical Significance The results indicate that little rotation occurs in the healthy extended canine stifle joint during positioning for CT and support CT as a method for assessing limb alignment around the stifle joint, provided that the limb distal to the femorotibial joint is unrestrained. Clinically, it is likely that measured changes in rotational angles across (and distant to) the stifle joint are real, rather than being due to rotation artefact during imaging.

Keywords

computed tomography - dogs - stifle joint

Authors' Contributions

CMA contributed to acquisition of data, data analysis and interpretation and production of the initial manuscript. JEM contributed to conception of study, study design, acquisition of data, data analysis and interpretation. LEB contributed to study design. All authors were involved in drafting, revision and approval of the submitted manuscript.