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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2008; 21(01): 25-35
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-06-11-0090
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

In vivo comparison of two hinged transarticular external skeletal fixators for multiple ligamentous injuries of the canine stifle

S. Lauer
1   Louisiana State University – VCS, School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
,
G. Hosgood
1   Louisiana State University – VCS, School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
,
S. Ramirez
1   Louisiana State University – VCS, School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
,
M. Lopez
1   Louisiana State University – VCS, School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 28 November 2006

Accepted 21 March 2007

Publication Date:
17 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Controlled mobilization after the surgical repair of multiple disrupted ligaments is considered to be essential for return to normal function. This study compared the outcome after post-surgical mobilization without any protection to mobilization with two transarticular external skeletal fixator hinge prototypes after surgical repair of experimental injuries to multiple stifle ligaments in 15 hounds. The repair was left unprotected (NP: n = 5), protected with a self-centering hinge (SH: n = 5) andwith a conventional hinge (CH: n = 5) for four weeks after surgical repair. Outcome measurements included: orthopaedic examination, goniometric and thigh circumference (TC) measurements, total tibial translation (TT), radiographs, and kinetic gait analysis up to 120 days post-operatively. Asignificant effect of treatment controlling for time for medial collateral stability, TC, TT, osteophyte scores, peakvertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI) was not found. There was a significant difference between time points for subjective lameness scores, TC, PVF, VI, TT and osteophyte scores within treatment. Stifle extension was significantly decreased in CH dogs compared to NP dogs on day 28. Stifle flexion was significantly decreased in CH and SH dogs on day 28 compared toNP dogs. Stifle flexion was normal in all dogs by day 42. Both hinges compromised stifle flexion initially after hinge removal, but range of motion normalized within two weeks. Hinges were not indicated for adjunct treatment after repair of multiple experimentally induced ligamentous stifle injuries.

Keywords

Stifle luxation - external skeletal fixation - transarticular hinge - joint mobilization - ligamentous injuries
 

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