Tibiotarsal arthroscopy

J. Miller; B. Beale

doi:10.3415/VCOT-07-03-0025

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Table of Contents

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2008; 21(02): 159-165
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-07-03-0025

Clinical Communication

Schattauer GmbH

Tibiotarsal arthroscopy

Applications and long-term outcome in dogs

Authors

J. Miller

¹Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
B. Beale

²Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, Department of Surgery, Houston, Texas, USA

Abstract

Summary

The objective of this retrospective article was to describe the use of, and to determine long-term outcome of, tibiotarsal arthroscopy in dogs. The medical records of 20 client-owned dogs with tibiotarsal joint disease with arthroscopic treatment were reviewed. Long-term follow-up evaluation of lameness, force plate gait analysis, and radiographs to assess progression of degenerative joint disease (DJD) were performed. Arthroscopy was utilized in the diagnosis of talar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), collateral ligament injury, septic arthritis, immune mediated arthritis, and a distal talar fragment. Sixteen joints with OCD treated resulted in 10/14 dogs with lameness after exercise only, progression of DJD in most cases, and chronic lameness when comparing operated to unoperated limbs with force plate evaluation at a mean follow-up of 35 months. Following treatment, three dogs with collateral ligament injury had reduced weight bearing on the operated limb, radiographic progression of DJD, and minimal lameness at a mean follow-up of 27 months. Tibiotarsal arthroscopy can be successfully used to help diagnose, and often to treat: OCD, collateral ligament injury, fractures, septic and non-septic arthritis in the dog. The minimally invasive nature of arthroscopy preserved joint stability while allowing complete examination of the articular cartilage. In most cases long term tibiotarsal DJD advancement was the rule.

Keywords

Tibiotarsal - osteochondritis dissecans - OCD - arthroscopy

Full Text

References

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