Advances in the Canine Cranial Cruciate Ligament, 2nd edition

282 Surgical Treatment

MFC

MFC

MM

LM

LM

LFC

LFC

TP MM

TP

TP

TP

***

***

(A) (B)

(C) (D)

Figure 33.4 (A) The cartilage of the

medial femoral condyle (MFC) and

tibial plateau (TP) appears healthy in

this patient with a complete CrCL tear.

Small radial tears of the medial

meniscus (MM) are present in this

patient treated with a tibial plateau

leveling osteotomy. (B) The majority of

the cartilage of the medial

compartment continues to appear

healthy in this patient 18 months later.

A focal area of fibrillation is seen at the

cranial aspect of the tibial plateau (∗∗∗).

Small radial tears of the medial

meniscus have progressed slightly. (C)

The cartilage of the lateral femoral

condyle (LFC) and tibial plateau (TP)

appears healthy in this patient with a

complete CrCL tear. Lateral meniscus

(LM). (D) The majority of the cartilage

of the lateral compartment continues to

appear healthy in this patient at

follow-up arthroscopy. A focal area of

fibrillation is seen at the caudal aspect

of the tibial plateau (∗∗∗).

femur

***

lateral central abrasion

Figure 33.5 Abrasion of the cartilage (∗∗∗) of the central
weight-bearing region of the lateral femoral condyle can
be seen in this tibial plateau leveling osteotomy patient
28 months after surgery.

tear). Commonly, the only clinical finding was

the onset of decreased limb function. Without

specific intra-articular inspection, clinical find-

ings in these cases may be mistakenly diag-

nosed with overuse injury or progression of

osteoarthritis.

Arthuret al. (2005) evaluated the synovium,

CrCL, CaCL, medial meniscus, lateral menis-

cus, femoral trochlea, femoral condyles and

tibial plateau using follow-up arthroscopy in

40 dogs (45 stifles) previously treated with

TPLO. Pathologic changes were identified at

the time of initial surgery and followed over

time. Radiographic evidence of periarticular

osteophytes was unchanged or only minimally

increased at the time of follow-up in 36 sti-

fles, and markedly increased in nine stifles.

MFC

JC

abaxial medial condyle

abrasion

cranial capsule

MFC

***

***

(A) (B)

Figure 33.6 (A,B) Abrasion of the

cartilage (∗∗∗) of the abaxial non

weight-bearing region of the medial

femoral condyle (MFC) adjacent to the

cranial joint capsule (JC) can be seen in

these tibial plateau leveling osteotomy

patients at long-term follow-up

arthroscopy. The joint capsule is

thickened and has increased stiffness in

both patients.