Advances in the Canine Cranial Cruciate Ligament, 2nd edition

Morphological Risk Factors for Cruciate Ligament Rupture 75

(A)

(B)

0.15 **

**

**

p < 0.001

p < 0.02

p < 0.05

0.10

0.05

ICN width index

(mm/mm)

ICN width index

(mm/mm)

(C)

ICN width index

(mm/mm)

0.00

Greyhound

Cranial

Central

Caudal

G. Retriever Labrador

Greyhound G. Retriever Labrador

Greyhound G. Retriever Labrador

0.2

0.1

0.0

0.2

0.3

0.1

0.0

Figure 9.2 Intercondylar notch (ICN) width indices (ICN
width indices (cranial (A), central (B) and caudal (C) in
Greyhound (n=60), Golden Retriever (n=23), and
Labrador Retriever (n=26) femurs).∗∗Denotes stated
statistical significance to the other two groups. Source:
Comerfordet al. 2006. Reproduced with permission from
Elsevier.

(Figure 9.4). Interestingly, the bodyweight of
the Labrador Retrievers was correlated with a
decrease in the central NWI (P=0.004,r=0.50),
whilst age did not correlate with any of the ICN
parameters. It is possible that an increased load
on the Labrador Retriever stifle joints alters the
joint mechanics, and that this may contribute
to ICN remodeling and narrowing. NSI was
not a factor in the predisposed dogs. Taken
together, these data suggest that impingement
by the ICN on the CrCLs of the high-risk breeds
may result in reduced structural integrity of
the ligament, predisposing the ligament to

(A)

(B)

**

**

p < 0.003

p < 0.001

% MMP-2 std + SEM

% MMP2 std + SEM

Greyhound G. Retriever L. Retriever

Greyhound G. Retriever L. Retriever

75 ProMMP-2

ActiveMMP-2

50

50

40

30

20

10

0

25

0

Figure 9.3 The levels of proMMP-2 (A) and active

MMP-2 (B) (% of standard) in the impinged parts of

Greyhound (n=10), Golden Retriever (n=8), and

Labrador Retriever (n=10) cranial cruciate ligaments.

∗∗Denotes stated statistical significance to the other two

groups. SEM, standard error of the mean. Source:

Comerfordet al. 2006. Reproduced with permission from

Elsevier.

**

p < 0.001

% Sulphated GAG of total wet weight (mg) +/– SEM

Greyhound G. Retriever L. Retriever

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0

Figure 9.4 Levels of sulfated GAG (% total weight) in

the impinged parts of Greyhound (n=10), Golden

Retriever (n=8) and Labrador Retriever (n=10) cranial

cruciate ligaments.∗∗Denotes stated statistical

significance to the other two groups. Source: Comerford

et al. 2006. Reproduced with permission from Elsevier.