Advances in the Canine Cranial Cruciate Ligament, 2nd edition

Arthroscopic Follow-Up after Surgical Stabilization of the Stifle 283

LFC

JC

lateral femoral condyle

grade 5 lesion

***

Figure 33.7 Abrasion of the cartilage (∗∗∗) of the abaxial
non weight-bearing region of the lateral femoral condyle
(LFC) adjacent to the cranial joint capsule (JC) can be
seen in this tibial plateau leveling osteotomy patient at
follow-up arthroscopy.

Progression of osteophytes was evident arthro-
scopically in 25% of stifles at follow-up. Car-
tilage wear was unchanged in 15 stifles and
increased in 20 stifles. Stifles with small radial
tears of the lateral meniscus treated by radiofre-
quency partial meniscectomy had increased car-
tilage wear in 67% of treated joints. Increased
cartilage wear was evident in 50% of stifles with

similar meniscal tears left untreated. The treat-

ment of small radial tears of the lateral menis-

cus with radiofrequency partial meniscectomy

was associated with a greater frequency of pro-

gressive cartilage wear compared to no treat-

ment of the meniscus. Cartilage wear was evi-

dent arthroscopically in eight stifles without

radiographic evidence of increased osteoarthri-

tis. Synovitis was unchanged in 15, increased

in two, and decreased in 18 stifles. Medial and

lateral meniscal tears were present at follow-up

in 16 and eight stifles, with increased cartilage

wear in eight stifles (Figures 33.8 and 33.9). Sites

of partial meniscectomies at initial arthroscopy

were intact and unchanged in 12 cases, while

further meniscal tearing had developed in six

cases. The CaCL was initially intact in all sti-

fles. However, lesions such as hyperemia and

mild fraying were seen at this time in 13 sti-

fles and progressed in nine cases (Figure 33.10).

With the exception of one case of complete

rupture, lesions at follow-up were limited

to mild increases in fraying, stretching, and

hyperemia (Figures 33.11–33.13). In 10 dogs,

gross lesions such as fraying, remodeling, or

hyperemia of the CaCL developed subsequent

to a grossly normal appearance at the time

of TPLO.

MFC MFC

***

MM MM

TP

(A) (B)

TP

Figure 33.8 (A) The medial
femoral condyle (MFC), tibial
plateau (TP) and medial meniscus
(MM) appear normal at the time of
tibial plateau leveling osteotomy. (B)
The MFC and TP appear normal, but
the cranial horn of the medial
meniscus has mild radial tears at
follow-up arthroscopic examination
(∗∗∗).

medial condyle

probe medial meniscus bucket-handle tear

**********

(A) Hohmann retraction (B)

Figure 33.9 (A) The medial
meniscus of this patient with a
complete CrCL tear has a latent
bucket-handle meniscal tear at
follow-up arthroscopy. (B) The
meniscal tear is not visible until
probed.