Canine total knee replacement: surgical technique and one-year outcome.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe a surgical technique for total knee replacement (TKR) in dogs with severe osteoarthritis (OA) and report 1-year outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical case study. ANIMALS: Dogs (n=6) with severe stifle OA. METHODS: Preoperative and postoperative evaluations were compared after 6 dogs had TKR. Data gathered included radiographs, goniometric measures of passive range of motion, ground reaction forces, and girth measurements of the thigh before surgery and at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. RESULTS: Stifle extension and excursion angles were significantly improved by 3 months after TKR. Mean peak vertical force and impulse were significantly improved by 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: TKR is a viable treatment option for dogs with severe stifle OA. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: With continued refinement of surgical technique, instrumentation, and implants, TKR could become a reliable treatment for dogs with disabling, painful nonseptic stifle OA.