Introduction: Arthroscopic-assisted tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) is frequently performed
to treat cranial crucial ligament (CrCL) injuries. This study examines the incidence
of arthroscopic findings related to CrCL tears.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 518 arthroscopic-assisted TPLO procedures was conducted.
Preoperative variables and arthroscopic findings were categorized by CrCL pathology.
Logistic regression, cumulative, and multinomial logit models were used to assess
associations between variables.
Results: Four hundred thirty-four dogs (514 stifles) were included. Partial competent, partial
incompetent, and complete CrCL tears were diagnosed in 26.7% (137/514), 10.7% (55/514),
and 62.6% (322/514) of stifles, respectively. In dogs with partial competent tears,
synovitis, osteophytosis, cartilage lesions, and medial and lateral meniscal pathology
were present in 97.7% (130/133), 72.2% (96/133), 26.2% (34/130), 6.6% (9/137), and
5.1% (7/137) of arthroscopies, respectively. Whereas in the complete tear group, the
same findings were present in 99.7% (319/320), 89.3% (285/319), 22.4% (65/290), 45.3%
(146/322), and 9.7% (31/321) of arthroscopies, respectively. The odds of osteophytosis
and bucket handle tear were lower in the partial competent group compared with the
complete group (OR: 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.27–0.59; OR: 0.04; 95% CI:
0.01–0.12; p < 0.0001, respectively). Similarly, the odds of bucket handle tears were lower in
the partially competent group compared with the partially incompetent group (OR: 0.08;
95% CI: 0.02–0.32; p = 0.0003).
Discussion/Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive assessment of arthroscopic findings, supporting
arthroscopic-assisted TPLO for accurately diagnosing and treating early partial CrCL
tears to delay further lesion development and ultimately prevent permanent joint damage.
Acknowledgment
The authors thank the staff of H-Town Veterinary Specialists and the veterinarians
for facilitating referrals to H-Town Veterinary Specialists.
