Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Radiographic fat pad sign predicts second knee ligament tear in dogs
By Fuller, Mark C et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2014·Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of the radiographic infrapatellar fat pad sign of the contralateral stifle joint as a risk factor for subsequent contralateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs with unilateral rupture: 96 cases (2006-2007).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with a torn knee ligament (cranial cruciate ligament or CrCL) was studied to see if signs in the other knee could predict future injuries. Out of 96 dogs with a single torn ligament, many showed signs of potential problems in the other knee, especially if they had a specific fat pad sign on X-rays. Those with this sign were much more likely to suffer a similar injury in the other knee within a few years. The findings suggest that all dogs with a torn CrCL should have X-rays of both knees to check for these signs, and surgery may be needed if the fat pad sign is present.
People also search for: dog knee ligament injury · CrCL tear treatment · dog knee X-ray signs · dog knee surgery recovery · dog joint problems signs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of the contralateral radiographic infrapatellar fat pad sign and contralateral radiographic degenerative sign (degenerative changes) and evaluate both signs as risk factors for subsequent contralateral cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) rupture in dogs with unilateral CrCL rupture. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS: 96 dogs with unilateral CrCL rupture and 22 dogs with bilateral CrCL rupture. PROCEDURES: Dogs with unilateral CrCL rupture were classified as having normal (n = 84) or abnormal (12) contralateral stifle joints on the basis of joint palpation. Associations between potential predictive variables and rates of subsequent contralateral CrCL rupture were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 84 dogs with unilateral CrCL rupture in which the contralateral stifle joint was palpably normal, 29 (34.5%) had a contralateral fat pad sign and 31 (36.9%) had a degenerative sign. All dogs with unilateral CrCL rupture in which the contralateral stifle joint was palpably abnormal had a contralateral fat pad sign and degenerative sign. The contralateral fat pad sign was the most important risk factor for subsequent rupture of the contralateral CrCL. For dogs with unilateral CrCL rupture and palpably normal contralateral stifle joint with and without a contralateral fat pad sign, median time to subsequent rupture was 421 and 1,688 days, respectively, and the 3-year probability of subsequent rupture was 85.3% and 24.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Bilateral stifle joint radiography should be performed for all dogs with CrCL rupture. Bilateral stifle joint arthroscopy should be considered for dogs with a contralateral fat pad sign.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24432965/