Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How vets test for torn knee ligaments in dogs
By Carobbi, B & Ness, M G·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2009·Dick White Referrals·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Preliminary study evaluating tests used to diagnose canine cranial cruciate ligament failure.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 42 dogs was tested to see how well different methods could diagnose cranial cruciate ligament failure, which can cause limping and knee pain. The tests included checking the knee while the dog was awake and again under anesthesia. Results showed that some tests were more accurate when the dog was under anesthesia, while others, like patellar palpation and X-rays, were very reliable. Understanding which tests work best can help vets make accurate diagnoses and provide the right treatment for dogs with knee issues.
People also search for: dog limping knee pain · cranial cruciate ligament tests for dogs · dog knee injury diagnosis
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To estimate specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of tests and signs used for the diagnosis of cranial cruciate ligament failure in dogs. METHODS: One stifle in each of 42 dogs was examined: 25 "affected" and 17 "control" dogs. All dogs were subjected to the following tests when conscious: cranial drawer, tibial compression, patellar tendon palpation and palpation of the medial aspect of the joint. Under general anaesthesia, cranial drawer and tibial compression tests were repeated and a lateral stifle radiograph was taken to evaluate changes of the infrapatellar fat pad. The results were analysed using a 2 x 2 table method. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were estimated. RESULTS: The sensitivity of the cranial drawer and tibial compression tests was surprisingly low when performed on conscious patients but significantly better when performed under anaesthesia. Similarly, palpation of the medial aspect of the stifle joint cannot be considered a reliable indicator of cranial cruciate ligament injury. Patellar palpation and radiographic assessment showed excellent sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In the diagnosis of cranial cruciate ligament, it is essential that the clinician is aware of each test's features and limitations to reduce the risk of misdiagnosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19425171/