Good news for performance dogs and TPLO repair

[BostonRott]

While buzzing about Pubmed this morning, I happened upon this article. Great news for those who have had a performance dog rupture a cruciate and decide on TPLO for repair.

Vet Surg. 2004 Mar-Apr;33(2):187-90.

Pre- and postoperative force plate analysis of dogs with experimentally transected cranial cruciate ligaments treated using tibial plateau leveling osteotomy.
Ballagas AJ, Montgomery RD, Henderson RA, Gillette R.

Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL 36849, USAballaaj@auburn.edu

OBJECTIVE: Quantitative and objective assessment of hindlimb kinetics after cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) transection and subsequent stifle stabilization using the tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) in normal dogs. STUDY DESIGN: In vivo experimental biomechanical evaluation. ANIMALS: Six healthy adult foxhounds. METHODS: Dogs were screened by orthopedic and radiographic examination before study entry. Force plate analysis of gait was measured before extirpation of the right CrCL and TPLO and again at 8 and 18 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in peak vertical forces (PVFs) and vertical impulse (VI) of the treated hindlimb at 8 weeks when compared with preoperative and 18-week measurements. When compared with preoperative values, there was no significant difference in 18 week PVF and VI in dogs that had TPLO. CONCLUSION: TPLO can restore kinetic measures of limb function at 18-weeks after surgery when compared with preoperative values after experimental transection of the CrCL in dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: TPLO induces lameness that returns to near normal at 18 weeks. The severity and duration of lameness was similar to that reported for other experimental models of stifle instability repaired by different techniques.

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Pubmed link

Regarding progression of arthritis after TPLO, more good news!

J Small Anim Pract. 2004 Feb;45(2):92-7.

Progression of osteoarthritis following TPLO surgery: a prospective radiographic study of 40 dogs.

Rayward RM, Thomson DG, Davies JV, Innes JF, Whitelock RG.

Davies White Veterinary Specialists, Manor Farm Business Park, Higham Gobion, Hertfordshire SG5 3HR.

The aim of this prospective study was to assess the progression of osteoarthritis following tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery. Osteoarthritis was monitored radiographically by means of an osteophyte scale on entry to the study, and at six weeks and six months following surgical intervention. Forty dogs were recruited to the study. At each visit, animals were assessed clinically, radiographically, by force platform analysis and by synovial fluid sampling. The radiographic data is the subject of this report. A significant increase in mean osteophyte score was noted between the entry and six-month examination time point. This increase in the mean osteophyte score was due to the increased score recorded in 16 dogs. However, in the majority of dogs, there was no progression of osteophytosis during the course of this study.