Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Shock wave therapy effects on dog knee ligament after TPLO surgery
By Gallagher, Alissa et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2012·Georgia Veterinary Specialists, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: The effect of shock wave therapy on patellar ligament desmitis after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 30 dogs that had surgery to fix a knee problem (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy or TPLO) were treated with shock wave therapy (SWT) to help reduce inflammation in the patellar ligament. After the treatment, the dogs showed a significant decrease in the thickness of the ligament at the 6 and 8-week marks, indicating that SWT was effective in reducing the signs of ligament inflammation. However, no significant changes were seen in ultrasound images. Overall, SWT appears to be a helpful option for dogs recovering from TPLO surgery with patellar ligament issues.
People also search for: dog knee surgery recovery · shock wave therapy for dogs · patellar ligament inflammation treatment
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine if shock wave therapy (SWT) after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) has a beneficial effect on patellar ligament inflammation assessed by thickening of the ligament and ligament fiber disruption. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS: Dogs (n = 30). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dogs that had TPLO (July 1, 2009 to June 1, 2010) were enrolled. The affected stifle was examined by radiographs and ultrasonography preoperatively and 4, 6, and 8 weeks after TPLO. At 4 and 6 weeks, dogs in the treatment group were briefly anesthetized and treated with SWT. Patellar ligament thickness on a lateral radiographic projection was measured at 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 of the distance from origin to insertion. Ultrasound images were evaluated for patellar ligament disruption and periligament edema. RESULTS: There was significant difference in thickness (P = .0264) only at the distal point; therefore, only this point was used to measure difference between the control and treatment groups. A significant difference between groups was reached at 6 and 8 weeks (P = .0059 and P = .0095, respectively) postoperatively. No significant ultrasonographic differences were found. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, SWT decreases the radiographic signs of patellar ligament desmitis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22486422/