Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How vets diagnose osteoarthritis in dog knee joints
By Ramírez-Flores, Gabriel Ignacio et al.·Published in Veterinary research communications·2017·Hospital Veterinario de Especialidades Bruselas S. C·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Correlation between osteoarthritic changes in the stifle joint in dogs and the results of orthopedic, radiographic, ultrasonographic and arthroscopic examinations.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with osteoarthritis (OA) in their knee joints were examined to understand how different tests could help diagnose the condition. Most of the dogs had ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments, which is a common cause of OA. The study found that swelling in the joint fluid and the presence of bone spurs were closely linked, helping vets diagnose OA more accurately. Risk factors for developing OA included being a female dog, weighing over 10 kg, or having a history of knee problems. This information can help pet owners understand the importance of early diagnosis and treatment options for their dogs.
People also search for: dog knee pain treatment · signs of osteoarthritis in dogs · how to help my dog with arthritis
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, degenerative disease affecting the articular cartilage and subchondral bone that causes pain and inhibits movement. The stifle's joint fibrous capsule contains the synovial membrane, which produces cartilage nutrients. A ruptured cranial cruciate ligament injures the joint and produces OA. Osteoarthritis diagnosis starts with clinical radiographic and ultrasonographic tests, although the latter is not used very much in dog and cat clinics for this purpose. The objective of this study was to establish the correlation among the results of orthopedic, radiographic, ultrasonographic examinations and structural anatomical changes revealed by arthroscopic evaluation to diagnose stifle joint OA and determine risk factors in the dogs affected. Of 44 clinical cases of OA included in the study, 88.64% had ruptured of cranial cruciate ligaments. The correlation between synovial fluid effusion and osteophytosis was of 0.84. It was concluded that there is good diagnostic agreement between synovial fluid effusion and osteophytosis when dealing with stifle joint OA. Risk factors for dogs regarding the development of stifle joint OA included: ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments or patella luxation, female dogs and weight over 10 kg.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28161746/