Radiographic evaluation of elbow joints before and after surgery in dogs with possible fragmented medial coronoid process.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of 5 radiographic projections of the elbow joint for identification of fragmented coronoid process (FCP) and associated secondary degenerative changes in dogs. DESIGN: Longitudinal clinical study. ANIMALS: 19 dogs suspected of having FCP (7 dogs, 1 elbow joint; 12 dogs, both elbow joints). PROCEDURE: 5 radiographic projections were obtained before and after surgery for all elbow joints on which exploratory arthrotomy was performed because of suspected FCP. Radiographs obtained before surgery were compared with radiographs obtained after surgery and radiographs taken of the excised fragments. Each projection was evalated for its utility in definitively identifying FCP and 7 specific degenerative changes. Interevaluator agreement, use of each radiographic projection for definitively identifying a feature, and ability of the 4 evaluators to definitively identify a feature were analyzed. RESULTS: The craniolateral-caudomedial oblique (Cr15L-CdMO) projection had a significantly higher sensitivity for definitively identifying FCP, compared with the other 4 projections. Interevaluator and kappa agreement for the 5 projections did not differ significantly among the 7 degenerative changes evaluated. The radiographic projection with the highest sensitivity and specificity for detection of a particular degenerative change varied by feature. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Of the 5 radiographic projections evaluated, the Cr15L-CdMO projection provided the highest sensitivity and was the best projection to use for definitively identifying FCP. The craniocaudal, Cr15L-CdMO, and mediolateral projections most reliably allowed for identification of secondary degenerative changes.

Arthroscopic examination and treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the femoral condyle of six dogs.

Arthroscopy was used to diagnose and treat osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the femoral condyle in six dogs. Bilateral lesions were seen in two dogs. The medial condyle was affected in five stifles, and the lateral condyle was affected in three stifles. Subchondral bone defects were identified on radiographs in six of eight affected stifles. Resolution of the lameness associated with the arthroscopic procedure occurred one-to-14 days (mean, three days) following arthroscopy. Lameness resolved completely in four cases within two weeks and in one case six weeks following arthroscopy. Mild lameness persisted in one case. Arthroscopy is an effective means of diagnosis and treatment of OCD of the femoral condyle, and it is associated with minimal postoperative morbidity when compared to arthrotomy.

Results of screw/wire/polymethylmethacrylate composite fixation for acetabular fracture repair in 14 dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical results in dogs with acetabular fractures stabilized using a screw-wire-polymethylmethacrylate (SWP) composite fixation. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study of client-owned dogs with acetabular fractures. ANIMALS: Fourteen dogs ranging in age from 4 to 95 months (mean, 34 +/- 25 months; median, 25 months) and body weight from 8 to 39 kg (mean, 25 +/- 6 kg; median, 27 kg). METHODS: Medical records and radiographs were retrospectively evaluated to determine location of the fracture, presence of preexisting degenerative joint disease, accuracy of fracture reduction and complications associated with surgery. Long-term results were evaluated by subjective assessment of lameness, elicitation of pain and/or crepitus on manipulation of the coxofemoral joint, measurements of pelvic limb circumference, coxofemoral joint goniometric measurements, and radiographic evaluation. RESULTS: Fracture reduction was considered anatomic in 13 dogs. At the time of the last follow-up evaluation (mean, 347 +/- 261 days; median, 380 days) 10 dogs were sound on the affected limb, three dogs had a subtle weight-bearing lameness of the affected limb, and the remaining dog had a consistent non-weight-bearing lameness of the affected limb. Mild (n = 10) or moderate (n = 1) degenerative changes of the affected coxofemoral joint attributed to the acetabular fracture and its repair were noted on the follow-up radiographs in 11 dogs. Limb circumference of the affected limb ranged from -8.2% to +10.8% (mean, -0.8 +/- 4.2%; median, -0.7%) of the contralateral limb. CONCLUSIONS: The SWP composite fixation consistently maintained anatomic reduction, was associated with few complications, and yielded satisfactory clinical results. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The SWP composite fixation technique would seem to be an acceptable means of stabilizing acetabular fractures in dogs.