Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Labrador Retrievers limp after tarsus surgery for OCD signs
By van der Peijl, G J W et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2012·Specialists Referral Clinic for Small Animals Binnenhof, Netherlands·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Osteochondrosis dissecans of the tarsus in Labrador Retrievers: clinical signs, radiological data and force plate gait evaluation after surgical treatment.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 15 Labrador Retrievers with a joint condition called osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) in their ankle underwent surgery to help relieve their symptoms. After the surgery, most of the dogs showed improvement in their ability to walk, but the overall outlook for full recovery was still uncertain. The study found that factors like the size of bone spurs and how much the joint could move affected their recovery. While some dogs did well, the results varied, and the dogs still had some differences in their walking compared to healthy Labradors.
People also search for: Labrador Retriever ankle surgery recovery · osteochondrosis dissecans treatment · dog joint pain after surgery
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To report the outcome of unilateral surgery, by a plantaromedial approach, in 15 Labrador Retrievers with osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) of the medial trochlear ridge of the talus. To evaluate the influence on outcome of age at surgery, bilateral involvement, periarticular soft tissue increase (PSI), osteophyte size (OS), decrease of range of joint motion and follow-up. To assess the extent of tarsal hyperextension in the standing dog. METHODS: A retrospective clinical and radiographic study was conducted and the post-treatment gait was analysed using a force plate. Ground reaction force (GRF) data were compared with data derived from 24 healthy Labrador Retrievers (control group). RESULTS: Six dogs had an excellent or good clinical result. Significant differences were found between the patients and the control group for many GRF data. Propulsive and vertical forces significantly decreased in the operated limb and increased in the contralateral pelvic and ipsilateral or both thoracic limbs. The lameness was significantly correlated to the OS postoperatively, the range-of-motion, the PSI, the length of the follow-up period, and the vertical ground force. No hyperextension in stance was recorded. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Although most dogs improved, the prognosis remains guarded. This seems to be independent of age, bilateral involvement, or preoperative OS in these dogs. No relation between medial talar OCD and tarsal hyperextension in stance was found in these dogs.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22366924/