Evaluation of trochleoplasty for correction of patellar luxation in dogs

개 슬개골 탈구 교정술에 있어서 활차구 성형술의 평가

This study was performed to investigate the best surgical technique for normal stifle mobility by comparison with clinical signs and histopathological changes of articular cartilage after femoral trochleoplasty, trochlear chondroplasty and trochlear wedge recession. Twelve small mixed dogs who had grade I or II medial patellar luxation were used. The days that the dog had partial and full weight bearing were checked and histopathological changes 49 and 90 days after surgery were observed. The dogs had partial weight bearing in 3~6 days postoperatively and full weight bearing in 20~24 days. After femoral trochlepoplasty, the articular surface was irregular and rough, but smooth after trochlear chondroplasty and trochlear wedge recession. Histopathologic examination performed on the 49th and 90th days after femoral trochleoplasty revealed that articular surface was occupied by fibrocartilage but the hyaline cartilages are preserved after trochlear chondroplasty and trochlear wedge recession. In trochlear wedge recession, the wedges of all cases were firmly attached to underlying subchondral bone which were indicating complete healing. The results of this study suggested that the trochlear wedge recession was the best chondroplasty for correcting patellar luxation.