Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Patellar ligament thickening after tibial tuberosity surgery in 25
By Pettitt, R et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2014·University of Liverpool, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Radiographic and ultrasonographic changes of the patellar ligament following tibial tuberosity advancement in 25 dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 25 dogs undergoing surgery to treat knee issues (cranial cruciate disease) were monitored for changes in the patellar ligament after a procedure called tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA). While some dogs showed thickening of the ligament, about half had no changes at all, and there was no clear link between thickening and pain. The study concluded that the thickening might not be a significant concern and could just be an incidental finding.
People also search for: dog knee surgery recovery · patellar ligament thickening in dogs · cranial cruciate disease treatment
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Patellar ligament thickening is a recognized response following osteotomy of the proximal tibia as a treatment for cranial cruciate disease. In humans this is seen as a response to increased loading, but the reason for this thickening in dogs is unclear. A prospective study was undertaken to assess the degree and frequency of patellar ligament desmopathy in 25 consecutive cases undergoing tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA). OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of patellar ligament thickening following TTA. METHODS: Consecutive cases undergoing TTA had ultrasonographic and radiographic measurements performed of the patellar ligament, at multiple positions on the ligament. This was performed at the time of surgery, and at six weeks and six months (ultrasound only) following surgery. The radiographic measurements were performed by two reviewers who were blinded to the timeframe of each image. RESULTS: There was great variation in both the incidence and degree of thickening of the ligament. Fifty percent of the cases showed no changes in the thickness of the patellar ligament. A clinical pain response was not associated with patellar ligament thickening. No statistically significant variables which predicted the development of patellar ligament thickening were identified . CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The presence of signs of patellar ligament thickening is of questionable clinical significance and is probably an incidental finding.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24664175/