Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Radiographic score predicts cruciate ligament disease risk
By Griffon, Dominique J et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2017·College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of a scoring system based on conformation factors to predict cranial cruciate ligament disease in Labrador Retrievers.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 167 Labrador Retrievers was studied to see if certain measurements could help predict cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD), which can cause knee problems. The researchers found that dogs with higher scores based on their leg angles were more likely to have CCLD. While the scoring system was good at identifying dogs that were low risk for this condition, it wasn't always accurate for those with positive scores. This means that if your Labrador has a high score, it’s important to consult your vet for further evaluation, as it may not definitively indicate CCLD.
People also search for: Labrador Retriever knee problems · cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs · CCLD treatment for Labradors
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of a radiographic score derived from tibial plateau angle (TPA) and femoral anteversion (FAA) with an outcome of cranial cruciate ligament deficiency (CCLD) in large dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: 167 Labrador Retrievers. METHODS: Hind limbs of sound Labrador Retrievers over 6 years of age were considered at low risk for CCLD. Limbs were considered high risk for CCLD if they were affected or predisposed (sound contralateral limb in dogs with unilateral CCLD). The radiographic CCLD score was calculated for each limb. The TPA, FAA, and CCLD scores were compared between limbs of the same dog and between risk categories. A contingency table was used to evaluate the association of the CCLD score with the CCLD status of limbs. RESULTS: TPA, FAA, and CCLD scores were greater in limbs categorized as high risk for CCLD than in normal limbs. The sensitivity and specificity of the CCLD score was 87% and 79%, respectively. The positive predictive value was 69% and the negative predictive value was 92%. Scores were similar between paired right and left limbs, but did not agree for predicted status in 14/106 dogs. DISCUSSION: Our study supports an association between TPA, FAA, and CCLD in Labrador Retrievers. The negative predictive value of the CCLD score supports its application for screening dogs considered at low risk for CCLD. Positive CCLD scores should be interpreted with caution and the status of a dog may be undetermined if scores obtained on each limb disagree.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28029702/