• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.300-308
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• 1999

Arthroscopy is a valuable diagnostic and operative tool in equine and human orthopedics. The arthroscope is a difficult instrument to use and requires patience, practice, and persistence in order to obtain good results. This technique was found to be less traumatic than arthrotomy, invasiveness, rapid recovery and the feasibility of surgically correcting many arthropathies. The use of the arthroscope in the dog provides a new dimension in the study and diagnosis of joint derangements. The purpose of this report is to introduce the use of the arthroscope in the dog-more specifically, in the stifle of the dog. A diameter 2.7 mm fore-oblique viewing arthroscope, cold light source, video and video printer are used. With the fore-oblique viewing type it is possible to view directly as well as slightly to the side and the range of viewing can be increased by rotating the arthroscope around the object The scope is connected with a cold light source by means of a fiber-optic light guide. The stifle joint was flexed to 20~30$^{\circ}$. The joint were lavaged with lactated Ringer's solution during arthroscopic examination. Arthroscopy of the stifle was performed prior to arthrotomy in 1 dead dog and 4 healthy dogs, and other 3 dogs was performed only arthroscopic examination. In this study only the conventional approaches were used and in most cases it was possible to view all the intra-articular structures via the lateral infrapatellar approach. In the stifle joint, endoscopic observation was performed to find lateral femoral condyle, patella, medial femoral condyle, trochlear groove, tibia, fat, cranial cruciate ligament, caudal cruciate ligament lateral meniscus, tendon of long digital extensor muscle, medial meniscus, and medial collateral ligament Post-arthroscopic examination, the lameness had disappeared within 12~24 hours. Pain and swelling in the stifle joint had disappeared within 24~36 hours. Post-arthroscopic secondary infection was never encountered in the dogs. In conclusion, arthroscopic insertion technique in canine stifle joint using a diameter 2.7 mm 30$^{\circ}$ arthroscope was established and arthroscopical views of all anatomical structures in the normal stilfe joint were obtained through lateral infrapatellar portal.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.82-86
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• 2012

A 5-year-old castrated male Chihuahua weighing 1.54 kg was examined because of a several month history of progressive right hind limb lameness. Physical examination of the stifle joints revealed pain and a grade IV medial patellar luxation on the right stifle joint. The right and left stifle joints were associated with a lameness of grade 2 and grade 0, respectively. Radiography revealed osteophytes or subchondral cystic lesions on the right and left stifle joints. Osteoarthrosis (OA) scores for the right and left stifle joints were 20 and 12 respectively. Combination of surgery and implantation of autologous adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells (aAT-MSCs) was determined with informed consent. $1{\times}10^6$ aAT-MSCs suspended in PBS and 0.6 mL of hyaluronic acid were injected in the right stifle joint postoperatively. Osteoarthrosis scores and the lameness grade for the right and left stifle joints were 19 and 13, and 0 and 0 19 months after treatment, respectively, and 14 and 15, and 0 and 0 five years after treatment, respectively. This case report shows radiographical evidence of a decrease in osteophytes and subchondral cystic lesions on the stifle joint with OA after aAT-MSCs injection.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.229-232
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• 2003

Ultrasonographic examination of the stifle joint four clinically and radiographically normal adult dogs was performed before and after inducing the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) rupture of the bilateral stifle surgically. At Pre- or post-surgery, the hyperechoic patella ligament and the echogenic infrapatella fat interfered the visualization of the CrCL by the plain scanning method. However when the stifle joint was imaged by the scanning method injecting normal saline within the joint capsule, the hyperechogenic ligament was visualized by the separation of the infrapatella fat and the CrCL and the contrast effect of anechoic saline. When the stifle joint was imaged by the real time scanning method after the induction of the surgical rupture, fluttering of the ligament and anechoic area between the bone and the CrCL was identified due to the lack of tonicity and continuity of the ligament. Enlargement of the ligament because of its increased diameter as well as fluttering of the CrCL and the increased joint space's thickness was visualized. Consequently, confirming fluttering of the CrCL, increased ligament diameter and anechoic region between the CrCL and the bone, ultrasonographic examination is a valuable diagnostic tool as well as cranial drawer test and radiographic examination.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.105-114
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• 2021

Intra-articular injection of ELHLD peptide is considered to have a therapeutic effect in osteoarthritis (OA) through the inhibition of transforming growth factor-β1. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of intra-articular injections of high-dose ELHLD peptide (100 ㎍/kg) in canine stifle OA. Six client-owned dogs diagnosed with stifle OA were included. Selected dogs were treated with an intra-articular injection of high-dose ELHLD peptide (100 ㎍/kg). Outcome measures, including orthopedic examination, gait analysis, and Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI) score, were evaluated four times after injection. Orthopedic examination, gait analysis, and owner's assessment (CBPI) improved significantly from 4 weeks after injection. In conclusion, we obtained sufficient evidence from this small sample that high-dose ELHLD peptide improves clinical signs of canine OA not only through subjective assessment but also through objective evaluation.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.163-167
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• 2020

A 13-month-old, 3.3 kg castrated male Shih-tzu presented with right hindlimb lameness. The physical examination revealed atrophy of the right thigh muscles, hyperextension of the stifle joint and external torsion of the tibia. On the radiographic examination, patella alta and genu recurvatum were observed. A biapical deformity of the tibia and external torsion of the distal tibia were detected by computed tomography (CT). A three-dimensional (3D) printed bone model was designed and constructed for the preoperative plan prior to surgery. Rectus femoris muscle transposition, femoral shortening ostectomy and open wedge osteotomy of the distal tibia were performed using hybrid external skele/t0al fixation (hybrid-ESF). A dynamic stifle flexion apparatus was used to prevent recurrence of a quadriceps contracture (QC). Intense physiotherapy was administered postoperatively. The dog began to use the affected limb one week after surgery. Functional improvement in the affected limb was observed, and full weight-bearing was possible at 3 months after surgery. Union of the osteotomy lines was observed at 3 months, and the stifle joint was fully movable at 7 months after surgery. Regarding the treatments for QC, these methods may be excellent candidates, as they do not lead to severe damage to the limb or amputation.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.253-257
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• 2014

Five dogs presented with a history of pelvic limb lameness. On physical examination of the stifle joints, five dogs had pain, lameness, patellar luxation, or ligamentous instability. Craniocaudal and mediolateral radiographic projections revealed osteophytes or subchondral cystic lesions on the stifle joints. Based on a previously described Osteoarthrosis (OA) scoring technique, five dogs showed high OA scores. Combination of surgery and implantation of autologous adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells (aAT-MSCs) or percutaneous injection of aAT-MSCs was determined with informed consent. $1{\times}10^6$ aAT-MSCs suspended in PBS was injected in the stifle joints. The follow-ups were completed 12 months after surgery. The follow-up information was based on physical examination by veterinarians. The lameness, pain on manipulation, and OA scores improved six or 12 months after implantation of aAT-MSCs. There was a radiographic evidence of decreased osteophytes and subchondral cystic lesions. These results suggest that implantation of aAT-MSCs can be considered an option for management of cases of OA in the stifle joints.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.8.1-8.6
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• 2022

The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the effects of focal spot size of X-ray tube on sharpness of clinical radiographic images of dogs and cats. Radiographic images of 24 stifle joints, 15 carpi, 18 lumbar spines, 61 thoraxes, and 47 abdomens of 102 dogs and 4 cats were obtained in the present study, using 2 X-ray tubes with nominal focal spots of 2.0 mm and 0.6 mm, respectively. The sharpness of specific anatomical structures in all the images of 5 projections was assessed. The radiographic sharpness of various anatomical structures of lumbar spine and cortex of stifle with fine focal spot was increased significantly compared with broad focal spot images. In addition, the blurred motion was significantly higher in the fine focal spot images of thorax. In conclusion, our study suggests that a selective use of fine foci for imaging of lumbar spine or cortex of stifle enhanced radiographic sharpness.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.497-500
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• 1999

A 4 years old male mixed breed dog, which weighed 25.5 kg, referred to Veterinary Teaching Hospital at College of Veterinary Medicine in Chonnam National University, because of chronic hindleg lameness. Click sound by flexion and extension of stifle joint, positive reaction by cranial drawer movement, fat pad sign and tibial position in cranial drawer position on the lateral radiographic view, medial patellar luxation (grade II), and lameness score 2.5 at standing and 2 at walking in right hindleg were showed. Under general anesthesia with enflurane, after medial arthrotomy, it was performed to remove remnants of cranial cruciate ligament and torn medial menisci and joint closed. In modified retinacular imbrication technique, one lateral fabellar/tuberosity suture, one medial fabellar/tuberosity suture, and one imbrication suture adjacent to the patella were placed. At 9 days after operation, lameness score 0 was observed and general condition was excellent.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.53.1-53.12
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• 2020

Background: The TightRope System is a device developed to provide extracapsular stabilization of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture in canine stifles. I was then also employed for the extra-articular treatment of shoulder instability and for the intra-articular treatment of hip luxation in dogs and cats. Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of the Mini-TightRope (mTR) System for the intraarticular treatment of CCL rupture in small breed dogs. Methods: A cadaveric canine model was used to record the steps of the surgical procedure. Five client owned dogs weighing from 8 to 10 kg and from 2 to 12 years of age were enrolled in the prospective study in which the mTR device was implanted in the stifle joint to replace the ruptured CCL. The dogs were graded using the Bologna Healing Stifle Injury Index (BHSII) and radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) scores. Results: The outcomes obtained at the time of the surgery (T0) and for the following 12 months (T12) showed an improvement in the functional parameters (BHSII from a median of 74.3 [range, 58.1-82.4] at T0 to 95.6 [range, 94.1-99.3] at T12]). The OA did not change in 3 dogs and increased by only 1 point in 2 dogs. Conclusions: In this preliminary study, the mTR was a successful and repeatable intraarticular surgical procedure for all dogs. Additional studies related to the clinical application of the technique in medium-large dogs should be encouraged.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.459-462
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• 2017

A 3-year-old, 5.6 kg, castrated, male, British short hair cat presented with subtle weight-bearing lameness of the right hindlimb when walking suddenly after rest. On physical examination, the patient experienced pain when the right stifle joint was hyperextended. There was no clinical improvement of lameness or pain of the right hindlimb, despite the administration of analgesic drugs for one week. During diagnostic arthroscopy of right stifle, mild synovitis and cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) impingement on osteophyte of the intercondylar notch (ICN) was observed. Computed tomography was applied to determine an accurate surgical plan. Arthroscopy-assisted notchplasty, including removal of the osteophyte, was performed using chisel and arthroscopic burr. At 4 weeks postoperatively, the frequency of subtle weight-bearing lameness of the right hindlimb was significantly reduced. At 6 months postoperatively, the patient exhibited normal ambulation without recurrence of lameness. Impingement of CCL may cause subtle lameness and pain. Arthroscopy can be a good diagnostic tool for early-stage CCL disease. Notchplasty can be recommended for osteophyte-induced CCL disease.