Page 336 - Canine Lameness

Table 19.1 Key features for selected diseases affecting the stifle region.

Common
Disease signalment Diagnostic test of choice Exam findings Treatment Clinical pearls Terminology
Fractures Any (physeal Radiographs Pain, crepitus, and Depends on Comparison to other Minimally displaced tibial
fractures in (orthogonal views non-weight-bearing location but (normal) limb can tuberosity avulsion
immature animals) needed, particularly for lameness frequently surgical help to diagnose fracture (MDTTAF)
minimally displaced fixation minimally displaced describes fractures of the
physeal fractures), may recommended physeal fractures tibial tuberosity with
require CT or stress secondary remodeling of
views the physis but minimal
displacement
Cranial cruciate Any breed but Palpation with See Box 19.1 Surgical treatment Early, partial tears do “Rupture” is obsolete
ligament disease middle-aged radiographs generally (TPLO) or not show drawer or terminology given the
(CCLD) medium-/ sufficient, may need nonsurgical thrust instability, but degenerative, slowly
large-breed dogs arthroscopy to confirm treatment radiographs easily progressive nature of the
predisposed partial tears detect joint effusion disease
Caudal cruciate Any breed, athletes Stress views, Caudal drawer Generally Difficult to
ligament rupture predisposed since arthroscopy, or MRI instability nonsurgical differentiate from
the trauma CCLD based on exam
requires caudal
blow to tibia
Stifle luxation Any breed since Radiographs, stress Severe pain and Surgical treatment Stifle radiographs lack Also known as “deranged”
traumatic views, and ultrasound obvious instability chronic, degenerative stifle
changes
Patellar luxation Small-breed dogs Palpation, radiographs, Patella instability Surgical and Small-breed dogs with
predisposed to or CT to determine graded 1–4 nonsurgical history of MPL and
MPL; large-breed degree of deformities (Box 19.2) treatment acute worsening of
dogs may have lameness may suffer
MPL or LPL from concomitant
CCLD
Osteochondrosis Large- and Radiographs but CT Pain on stifle Surgical removal Ideally diagnose and
dissecans (OCD) giant-breed may be required for manipulation or medical treat early, once
puppies subtle lesions without instability management arthritis is present
treatment is more
controversial

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