Recovery outcomes after two surgeries for dog knee ligament tears

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:  The aim of this study was to compare outcomes after tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) and modified Maquet procedure (MMP) for the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) in dogs using clinical and radiographic evaluation and treadmill-based force plate gait analysis. STUDY DESIGN:  This study was a prospective, randomized, controlled study. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  Sixty-one dogs (76 joints) with CCLR were treated with TPLO ( = 30 dogs, 41 joints) or MMP ( = 31 dogs, 35 joints) and compared with a control group of 16 healthy Labrador Retrievers. Outcomes after surgery were compared by clinical orthopaedic assessment, radiographic evaluation and force plate gait analysis performed preoperatively, and then at 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. For objective comparison of ground reaction forces, the data were compared with the control group. Major complications were reported. RESULTS:  A significant improvement in ground reaction forces was reached in all surgically treated dogs. No significant difference was found between the surgical methods at any postoperative re-examination. With regard to peak vertical force (PVF), there were significantly more patients with TPLO within the reference range of healthy dogs at the 3 months re-examination than dogs with MMP. There was no significant difference in mean value comparisons between TPLO and control groups 6 months postoperatively. Compared with the control group, mean values of 93.9% (PVF) and 85.9% (vertical impulse [VI]) were reached by the TPLO group and 89.4% (PVF) and 79.9% (VI) by the MMP group, 6 months postoperatively.No significant differences were found regarding major complications or progression of osteoarthritis. CONCLUSIONS:  Although no significant differences were found between the surgical methods, TPLO patients showed superiority with regard to clinical outcome.