Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Osteoarthritis progression in opposite knee of dogs with cruciate
By de Bruin, T et al.·Published in The Veterinary record·2007·Department of Diagnostic Imaging of Domestic Animals·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Radiographic assessment of the progression of osteoarthrosis in the contralateral stifle joint of dogs with a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 14 dogs with a torn cranial cruciate ligament (a common knee injury) had their other knee joint checked for signs of osteoarthritis (joint disease) over a year. The dogs were examined at the start, then again at six and twelve months. The researchers found that changes like bone growths and hardening in the knee joint were common and worsened over time. Notably, the condition of the unaffected knee was linked to a higher risk of injury in that joint later on.
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Abstract
The formation and progression of osteoarthrosis in the unaffected contralateral stifle joints of 14 dogs with a unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture were monitored radiographically in terms of a global score and the scores for 10 parameters specific for the stifle joint. The dogs were examined initially and six and 12 months later by three observers, and the variability between the observers' scores was also assessed. The score for osteophytes at the tibial attachment site of the ligament was the most reliable parameter, and that for the increase in femoropatellar joint space was the least reliable. In the contralateral stifle joints there were significant increases after six and 12 months in osteophyte formation caudal to the tibial plateau, and in subchondral sclerosis of the tibial plateau and of the long digital extensor muscle groove. These three parameters progressed more regularly during the disease process than the other parameters. The global osteoarthrosis score of the contralateral stifle joint was an important risk factor for sustaining a rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament in that joint during the next six months.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18056011/