Objective: To characterize the effect of the Ruby Joint Stabilization System (Ruby) on the motion of the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) deficient stifle. To compare the motion with the Ruby to that of the CrCL-intact and CrCL-deficient stifle. Study Design: Each canine pelvic limb was mounted in a loading jig under 30% body weight. Motion data was collected using an electromagnetic tracking system at stifle angles of 125o, 135o and 145o with the CrCL-intact, CrCL-deficient and the Ruby applied. Results: Total translation of the CrCL-deficient stifle following the Ruby was reduced, but remained greater than the CrCL-intact stifle at angles of 125o, 135o and 145o. Internal rotation of the Ruby groups was greater than the CrCL-intact group at 145o, but not 125o and 135o. Varus motion of the Ruby group was decreased compared to the CrCL-deficient group, but increased compared to the CrCL-intact group at angles of 125o, 135o and 145o. Conclusion: Total translation and internal rotation of the CrCL-deficient stifle following the Ruby differed from that of the CrCL-intact stifle. However, the Ruby reduced total translation and internal rotation of the tibia relative to the femur in the CrCL-deficient stifle to levels that may yield clinically acceptable results. / Master of Science / Cranial cruciate ligament disease is a common pathology of the canine stifle. Loss of this ligament results in instability of the stifle that results in pain and osteoarthritis, and can lead to damage of other intra-articular structures like the menisci. An abundant number of surgical procedures are described, with the goal of surgery being the restoration of normal stifle stability and function. A common surgical procedure for treatment is the lateral suture technique, which is an extracapsular method of stabilization. This procedure faces many complications; however, it remains a popular choice of stabilization due to its lower cost and less invasive nature. The Ruby Joint Stabilization procedure is a method of extracapsular repair that aims to restore stifle stability and circumvent several complications that plague the lateral suture. This cadaveric study sought to investigate how stifle motion of the normal canine stifle compared to that of the cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifle with the Ruby Joint Stabilization System applied. The results of this investigation demonstrated that the Ruby Joint Stabilization System adequately restored stifle motion to a level that could yield clinically acceptable results, as was demonstrated in a previously published clinical investigation of this technique.

Canine cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture is a common veterinary orthopaedic problem, and has been associated with problems at the ipsilateral hip joint. However, the relationship between stifle and hip dysfunction has not been fully investigated. The purpose of this study was to establish whether CCL pathology is associated with a limitation in hip extension range large enough to affect gait. In a prospective, crosssectional study, passive and active hip extension range was determined in normal dogs as well as CCL deficient dogs. There was a significant reduction in ipsilateral passive hip extension range in the CCL deficient dogs (18.63º+/-7.57).There was a significant increase in hip extension range of the unaffected leg during gait compared to the normal group (7.03º+/-8.41). It was therefore concluded that canine CCL pathology directly affects hip extension range to a degree sufficient to affect normal gait.

Little research has been done to validate the biomechanical principles of tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) throughout stance. The present study evaluates the effects of TTA on kinematics of the cranial cruciate (CrCL) deficient stifle during early, middle, and late stance. Cadaveric pelvic limbs were evaluated for the effects of TTA on kinematics under a load equivalent to 30% bodyweight and under the following treatment conditions: intact CrCL, CrCL deficient, TTA-treated, and TTA treated + meniscal release. Electromagnetic tracking sensors were used to determine tibial subluxation and rotation relative to the femur. Transection of the CrCL resulted in significant cranial tibial subluxation during early, middle, and late stance and significant internal rotation during early and middle stance. TTA normalized tibial subluxation in early, middle, and late stance but was unsuccessful in normalizing axial rotation in middle stance. Meniscal release had no effect on cranial/caudal or rotational displacement when performed following TTA.

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No description available.

Objective - To compare preoperative tibial plateau leveling osteotomy planning using the common tangent method to the current conventional method and evaluate the effect on tibial translation and patellar ligament angle following rotation of the tibial plateau. Study Design – Cadaveric study. Seven paired canine pelvic limbs. Methods- Radiographs of the stifle were taken at 135° of extension prior to and following rotation of the tibial plateau under load (0N and 30N). The tibial plateau of each limb was rotated both according to the common tangent and conventional method. Tibial plateau angle (TPA), tibial translation, and the patellar ligament angles (PLA) were measured radiographically following rotation of the tibial plateau. Results- There was no significant difference between planning methods with regards to the amount of rotation of the tibial plateau or position of the tibia relative to the femur following rotation. There was no significant association between the postoperative tibial plateau angle and position of the tibia relative to the femur between groups. There was no significant difference between the patellar ligament angles following rotation based on the common tangent or conventional method preoperative TPLO planning. Conclusion- Both the conventional and common tangent TPLO planning results in adequate proximal tibial rotation to achieve a PLA of approximately 90°, thereby counteracting the compressive shear forces during ambulation. The TPA for both groups following rotation had no significant impact on the amount of cranial or caudal tibial translation relative to the femur. / Master of Science / Cranial cruciate ligament disease is one of the most common diseases of the stifle in dogs, and causes great discomfort. The tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) procedure is designed to change the geometry of the tibia's articular surface, such that the femur no longer slides in a caudal direction during weight bearing. Conventional methods of planning do not consider the curved anatomical surface of the tibial condyles, but rather treat the condyles like a flat surface. The goal of this study was to compare the current conventional planning methods with a new technique, the common tangent method, and to evaluate if the common tangent method improves accuracy and tibial translation after surgery. Results of this study show that there was no statistically significant difference in rotation and tibial position between the two planning groups. However, it was found that the common tangent method consistently required less rotation of the tibial articular surface than the conventional method, but still achieved similar postoperative tibial translation. This implies that there may be overcorrection when performing the TPLO under the current conventional method, which could predispose the patients to strain on the caudal cruciate ligament and patellar ligament leading to discomfort. The common tangent method is a feasible way of planning for a TPLO procedure, and shows potential utility in cases where excessive tibial rotation would otherwise cause increased risk for complications or necessitate a more complex procedure.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of two tibial attachment sites for lateral suture stabilization (LSS) on the kinematics of the cranial cruciate ligament-deficient (CrCL-D) canine stifle during early, middle and late stance.<br />Study design: In vitro biomechanical study: 32 hind limbs from 16 canine cadavers.<br />Methods: Limbs were mounted in a testing jig and an electromagnetic tracking system was used to determine 3-D stifle kinematics under 33% body weight load during early, middle and late stance in the following sequence: CrCL intact, CrCL-D and LSS with the distal anchor through the tibial tuberosity (LSSTT) or through the cranial eminence of the extensor groove (LSSEG). The proximal anchor point was the lateral femoro-fabellar ligament.<br />Results: Transection of the CrCL resulted in significant changes in stifle kinematics during early, middle and late stance. Post-LSS stifle kinematics were more comparable to normal than post-transection kinematics for both techniques. Both LSS techniques restored stifle kinematics in CrCL-D stifles to varying amounts but neither technique successfully restored normal 3-D stifle kinematics. LSSEG improved kinematics of the CrCL-D stifle in the medial-lateral direction and axial rotation but performed poorly in restoring stifle kinematics in the cranial-caudal plane as compared to LSSTT.<br />Clinical significance: LSSTT and LSSEG techniques failed to completely restore normal stifle kinematics in CrCL-D stifles in vitro. / Master of Science

Objective-To assess the effect of 9 mm tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) on cranial tibial translation (CTT) in cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) deficient canine stifles. Study Design-In vitro cadaveric study. Animals-Twelve canine pelvic limbs. Methods-Each stifle was placed in a jig at 135° with a simulated quadriceps force and tibial axial force, and the distance of CTT was measured with the CCL intact (iCCL), transected (tCCL), and after performing a TTA using a 9 mm cage. In addition, a material testing machine was used to assess the force required to elicit CTT in each scenario. Results-The mean CTT for iCCL was 0.42 mm, 1.58 mm after severing the CCL, and 1.06 mm post TTA. The tCCL CTT measured without any quadriceps force was 2.59 mm. Differences between the intact and tCCL (p<0.0001) and tCCL and TTA (p=0.0003) were significant. The difference between the tCCL with and without the quadriceps force was not significant (p=0.0597). The force required to cause CTT was greater in the TTA than the tCCL up to 6mm (p<0.0001). As axial load increased, the force required to advance the tibia increased in both treatment groups (p value for overall weight effect =0.0002). Conclusions- These data confirm that TTA does reduce CTT in tCCL stifles in this model. The addition of a simulated quadriceps force to a CCL deficient stifle prior to a TTA, by itself, may not significantly lessen CTT. Clinical Relevance- While this in vitro model demonstrated that TTA reduced CTT in canine stifles with CCL transected, the modular limitations preclude extrapolation to the effect of TTA on the live dog. / Master of Science

Zielstellung: Die Ruptur des vorderen Kreuzbandes (VkB) ist die häufigste Ursache einer Lahmheit beim Hund. Im Gegensatz zu der Humanmedizin, wo die anatomische intraartikuläre Rekonstruktion des vorderen Kreuzbandes als Therapie der Wahl gilt, wird die intraartikuläre Rekonstruktion beim Hund nur selten durchgeführt und hat bis jetzt nicht dauerhaften Erfolg. Die anatomische Platzierung der Bohrkanäle ist bei Menschen für den Erfolg der Operation bei Menschen entscheidend. Erstes Ziel der Studie war die Bestimmung der radiologischen Lage des Zentrums des femoralen vorderen Kreuzbandursprungs beim Hund. Zweites Ziel war die Entwicklung und Erprobung eines Zielgerätes für die arthroskopisch-assistierte, anatomische vordere Kreuzbandrekonstruktion beim Hund. Material und Methode: A. Radiologische Studie: Die kraniale Begrenzung des femoralen Ursprungs des vorderen Kreuzbandes (VK) wurde mit einem röntgendichten Draht bei 49 Femora orthopädisch gesunder Hunde (KM > 20 kg) markiert. Anschließend wurde eine Computertomographie und 3D- Rekonstruktion jedes Femurs angerfertigt, anhand derer der Ursprung manuell segmentiert und das Zentrum berechnet wurde. Schließlich wurden, basierend auf den 3D-Modellen, virtuelle Röntgenbilder in zwei Ebenen berechnet. An diesen wurde die Position des berechneten Zentrums mit drei unterschiedlichen Methoden bestimmt (4x4-Gitterbox-Methode und prozentuale Position für die medio-laterale Projektion; Ziffernblattmethode für die disto-proximale Projektion). B. Zielgerät: Hintergliedmaßen (n = 12) von 6 Hundekadavern (KM ≥20 kg) wurden verwendet. Eine Gliedmaße jedes Kadavers wurde zufällig ausgewählt und die kaudo-kraniale Lage des Zentrums des vorderen Kreuzbandansatzes (vKBA) in medio-lateralen Röntgenbildern berechnet und anschließend auf ein justierbares Zielgerät übertragen. Unter arthroskopischer Kontrolle wurde das Zielgerät hinter der lateralen Kondyle eingehakt und ein Steinmann Pin von extra nach intraartikulär platziert. Die Position der resultierenden Bohrkanäle wurde sowohl röntgenologisch bestimmt als auch dreidimensional mit dem anatomischen Zentrum des vKBA der kontralateralen Hintergliedmaßen verglichen. Ergebnisse: A. Radiologische Studie: In der medio-lateralen Projektion befand sich das Zentrum des femoralen Kreuzbandursprungs im zweiten Rechteck von proximal in der kaudalen Spalte. Die mittlere prozentuale kaudo-kraniale und proximo-distale Position war 20,2 % (± 2,2), beziehungsweise 33,8% (± 3,7). Im disto-proximalen Röntgenbild lag in 97,6 % der Femora das Zentrum des femoralen Kreuzbandursprungs zwischen 14:00 und 15:00 Uhr. B. Zielgerät: In allen postoperativen Röntgenaufnahmen lagen die sechs Bohrkanäle im bzw. nahe dem Zentrum des vKBA. Die 3D- Messungen ergaben eine mediane Abweichung der Bohrkanalposition im Vergleich zum anatomischen Zentrum der kontralateralen Seite von 0,6 mm (Bereich:0,2– 0,9 mm). Schlussfolgerung: Die erarbeiteten Referenzwerte können für die Planung sowie die intra- und postoperative Kontrolle der femoralen Bohrung verwendet werden. Die Verwendung eines justierbaren Zielgerätes ermöglicht die präzise anatomische Platzierung des femoralen Bohrkanals für die intraartikuläre Rekonstruktion des vorderen Kreuzbandes. Die beschriebene Methode wird helfen, eine Fehlplatzierung des femoralen Bohrkanals im Zuge der intraartikulären vorderen Kreuzbandplastik zu reduzieren. In Kombination mit dem bereits beschriebenen tibialen Zielgerät sind nun die technischen Voraussetzungen für die arthroskopisch-assistierte anatomische vordere Kreuzbandplastik in der Tiermedizin gegeben. / Objective: Cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) pathology is the most frequent cause of lameness in dogs. In contrast to human medicine, where anatomic reconstruction of the ACL is considered the treatment of choice, intra-articular repair in dogs is not commonly performed and until now has not met with enduring success. Accurate tunnel placement has been shown to be crucial in obtaining a successful outcome after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in humans. The first aim of our study was to define the radiographic location of the center of the femoral attachment of the CrCL in dogs, for the pre- operative planning as well as post-operative control of anatomical placement of the femoral tunnel. Second aim of the study was to develop and validate an aiming device for arthroscopic femoral tunnel placement. Materials and Methods: A. Radiographic study: Using femora from 49 adult, orthopedically sound dogs (BW ≥ 20 kg), a radiopaque marker was placed on the cranial border of the femoral footprint of the CrCL. Computed tomography and 3D reconstruction of each femur was performed subsequently, followed by manual segmentation of the footprint on the 3D models and calculation of its center. Finally, virtual digital radiographs in two planes were produced and the location of the calculated center of the CrCL was expressed using three different methods (4x4 box grid method and percentage position for the medio-lateral projection; o’clock position for the disto-proximal projection). B. Aiming device: Hindlimbs (n=12) of 6 cadaveric dogs weighing ≥20 kg were used. One hindlimb from each cadaver was randomly chosen and the caudo- cranial position of the CrCL center was calculated, on standard medio-lateral stifle radiographs, and transferred onto to an adjustable aiming device. During stifle arthroscopy the aiming device was inserted and guide pin placed from extra-to-intra-articular. The position of the resulting bone tunnel was evaluated on stifle radiographs and also compared with the anatomic center of each contralateral hindlimb, in the three dimensional (3D) space. Results: A. Radiographic study: In the medio-lateral radiographs the center of the femoral footprint was consistently located in the second rectangle from the top of the most caudal column of the 4x4 grid. The mean percentage caudo- cranial and proximo-distal location was 20.2% (± 2.2) and 33.8% (± 3.7), respectively. In the disto-proximal radiograph, the o’clock position of the CrCL center was between 2 and 3 o’clock in 97.6% of the femora. B. Aiming device: According to the postoperative radiographs, the location of all 6 intra-articular tunnel openings was consistent with the results of the radiographic study. In 3D space, arthroscopic femoral drilling resulted in a median deviation of the drill tunnels of 0.6 mm around the CrCL center. All tunnel openings were located within the CrCL insertion. Conclusions: The reported data can be used to plan and verify the placement of the femoral tunnel opening during intra-articular anatomic CrCL repair. The use of the aiming device suggests that arthroscopic femoral tunnel placement can be achieved with high precision. The measurement for the device can be derived from a standard medio-lateral radiograph of the stifle, which is part of the diagnostic work up of every dog with lameness localized in the stifle. The proposed technique may reduce femoral tunnel misplacement when performing intra-articular CrCL repair in dogs. In combination with the described technique for arthroscopic tibial tunnel drilling, arthroscopic assisted anatomic reconstruction of the CrCL in dogs can be achieved.

A ruptura total ou parcial do ligamento cruzado cranial (LCCr), é considerada uma das principais causas de instabilidade no cão e está entre as mais freqüentes afecções ortopédicas no cão. A ruptura do ligamento cruzado cranial (RLCCr) implica em tratamento cirúrgico por artroscopia ou artrotomia e se faz necessária a retirada dos seus resquícios e a sua substituição. Trinta e oito amostras de LCCr rompidos de animais submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico para RLCCr e 13 amostras de LCCr íntegro de cadáveres de cães que tenham vindo a óbito por diferentes causas e sem histórico de doença articular foram coletadas para a realização de um estudo morfométrico, ultra-estrutural e imuno-histoquímico das células e componentes da matriz extracelular presentes no LCCr desses cães. Os cortes histológicos foram corados pela Hematoxilina-Eosina para análise histopatológica, Picrossirius-Hematoxilina para análise do colágeno, Resorcina- Fucsina para estudo das fibras do sistema elástico e Alcian-Blue-PAS para proteoglicanas. Os resultados sugeriram que houve diferença significativa entre os LCCr rompidos do grupo dos Labradores e as amostras íntegras do grupo controle no que diz respeito às alterações celulares. Em relação ao estudo de fibras colágenas a área ocupada foi significativamente maior no grupo controle. Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos em relação às fibras do sistema elástico, entretanto, houve correlação entre a densidade linear destas fibras com a idade dos animais. Também foi possível estabelecer uma correlação entre peso e idade e, entre peso e tempo de evolução da doença articular. No estudo imuno-histoquímico para &alpha;-actina de músculo liso e Caspase 3, o grupo cirúrgico apresentou maior número de marcações positivas que o grupo controle. / Total or partial rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is one of the main causes of instability on dogs and is one of the most frequent orthopedic conditions of the dog. The rupture of CCL demands surgical procedure by arthroscopy or arthrotomy and the extraction and replacement of its remaining fragments is needed. Thirty-eight samples of ruptured CCL, collected during the surgical time and thirteen samples of intact CCL collected from cadavers of dogs without articular disease history were examined in this study. Morphometric, ultrastructural and immunohystochemical techniques were realized to study cells and extracellular matrix of CCL samples. The tissue sections were stained by Hematoxilyn-Eosin to histopathological study, Picrosirius-Hematoxilyn to collagen study, Resorcin-Fucsin to elastic fibers study and Alcian Blue-PAS to proteoglicans study. The results suggest that there were signifcant differences between the ligaments of the Labrador retrievers and the intact ligaments of the control group regarding the cellular changes. The control group had a significant larger area occupied by collagen fibers than the other groups. There is no statistical difference on elastic fibers among the groups. However the linear density of elastic system fibers could be correlationated with age of dogs. There was a correlation between weight and age, and betwwen weight and time of development of articular disease. Immunohistochemical study showed more positive cells to &alpha;-smooth muscle actin and caspase-3 in the ruptured CCL than the control group.