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SummaryObjective: The purpose of this study was to describe computed tomography (CT) features of the ununited anconeal process and relate them with the following elbow dysplasia signs: medial coronoid disease, medial humeral condyle changes, osteoarthritis (OA), and radioulnar incongruence.Methods: Computed tomographic images of dogs older than six months with an ununited anconeal process were evaluated (n = 13). Ununited anconeal process features were described as being complete or incomplete, and the degree of displacement, volume, and presence of cysts and sclerosis were also evaluated. Medial coronoid disease was defined as an irregular medial coronoid process shape, presence of sclerosis and fragmentation. Medial humeral condyle changes were defined as subchondral bone flattening, lucencies, and sclerosis. Osteoarthritis was graded depending on the osteophytes size. Radioulnar incongruence was measured on a sagittal view at the base of the medial coronoid process.Results: Eleven elbows had a complete and two had an incomplete ununited anconeal process. All ununited anconeal processes had cystic and sclerotic lesions. Seven ununited anconeal processes were displaced and six were non-displaced. Mean ununited anconeal process volume was 1.35 cm3 (0.61 cm3 – 2.08 cm3). Twelve elbows had signs of medial coronoid disease (4 of them with a fragmented medial coronoid process), and one elbow did not show any evidence of medial coronoid disease. Ten elbows had medial humeral condyle changes. One elbow had grade 1 OA, seven elbows had grade 2, and five elbows grade 3. All elbows had radioulnar incongruence: three elbows had a negative and 10 elbows had a positive radioulnar incongruence. Mean radioulnar incongruence was 1.49 mm (0.63 mm – 2.61 mm). Computed tomographic findings were similar in the majority of the elbows studied: complete ununited anconeal processes with signs of medial coronoid disease, positive radioulnar incongruence, high grade of OA, sclerotic medial humeral condyle changes, and large ununited anconeal process volumes.Clinical significance: Incomplete small ununited anconeal process volumes could be associated with a lower incidence of medial coronoid disease or medial humeral condyle changes. We recommend performing preoperative CT of elbows with an ununited anconeal process to evaluate concurrent lesions.

SummaryThis case report describes a cervical fusion cage, surgical technique and the long-term outcome of caudal cervical arthrodesis used to stabilise dynamic spinal cord compression at the sixth and seventh cervical intervertebral disc space (C6, C7) in a dog. A seven-year-old, 41 kg, entire male Dobermann Pinscher was admitted for progressive ataxia of two weeks duration. Neurological examination revealed ambulatory tetraparesis. Computed tomographic myelogram scans in neutral and traction positions of the neck were performed and were used to determine presence of a dynamic component. A C6-C7 surgical distraction and stabilisation using a distractable intervertebral fusion cage was performed. There was not any deterioration of neurological status was observed on postoperative neurological evaluation. Within eight weeks after surgery, gait and postural abilities had returned to normal. Computed tomography evaluation indicated a complete bridging callus within and outside the cage at 15 weeks after surgery. There were not any complications or recurrences of initial neurological deficits observed during the 40 month follow-up period. Based on the follow-up period data, a C6-C7 dynamic spinal cord compression with disc protrusion was successfully treated by a distractable cervical fusion cage.

SummaryFibrosis of the iliopsoas muscle can result in pelvic limb lameness in dogs. In this case report we describe fibrosis after an initial injury of the iliopsoas muscle in a dog. A seven-year-old hunting dog developed an acute onset of lameness and pain of the left pelvic limb after an intense period of exercise. Two months later, the dog was referred for evaluation of a non-weight-bearing left pelvic limb lameness. Orthopaedic examination revealed pain on hyperextension and internal rotation of the left coxofemoral joint. Neurological examination revealed a decreased patellar reflex in the left pelvic limb. Computed tomographic images showed non-uniform, contrast enhancement of the left iliopsoas muscle. The animal was treated with an iliopsoas tenomyectomy. Histopathological examination of the affected iliopsoas muscle revealed endomysial and perimysial mature fibrous replacement tissue. Sixteen weeks after surgery, the dog had returned to pre-injury levels of exercise.

SummaryrhBMP-2 solution on a collagen sponge was placed along the diaphysis of an atrophicradius, which had a history of recurring fractures. Two months after rhBMP-2 treatment, new mineralized bone was present, which significantly increased the diameter of the radius and allowed the removal of the external skeletal fixator (ESF). Due to carpo-metacarpal joint compromise, a pancarpal arthrodesis was performed seven months later. At follow-up evaluation two years later the dog was only very mildly lame.

The technique of arthroscopy of the elbow joint using the caudal portals is described. It was developed on six cadavers and six experimental dogs and allows a direct visualization of the olecranon fossa, caudolateral, caudo-medial and cranial compartments of the elbow joint. Arthroscopy of the caudal aspect of the elbow joint appears safe and reliable. None of anatomical structures are at risk on the caudal aspect of the elbow joint.

SummaryThis paper presents the clinical signs, radiographic and arthroscopic findings in 23 dogs and a cat having a lesion of the biceps tendon. Several conditions were recognized: partial or complete rupture; avulsion of the biceps tendon from the supraglenoid tubercle, tendinitis, mid-substance tear, bipartite tendon, dislocations and tenosynovitis of the bicipital tendon. Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint was seen in 84% of the cases and osteophytosis of the bicipital groove was recognized in 38%. Biceps tendon rupture was associated with shoulder joint instability 76% of the time. Shoulder arthroscopy is a very reliable diagnostic method allowing direct visualization of intra-articular pathologies.In man, the tendon of the biceps brachii is the proverbial stepchild of the shoulder. It has been blamed for numerous painful conditions of the shoulder from arthritis to adhesive capsulitis. Kessell described the tendon as “somewhat of a maverick, easy to inculpate but difficult to condemn (1). Its function has been often misunderstood. It has been tenodesed, translocated, pulled through drill holes in the humeral head, and debrided with an arthroscope, oftentimes with marginal results”. Lippmann likened the biceps tendon to the appendix: “An unimportant vestigial structure unless something goes wrong with it” (2). Neer II has stressed the fact that 95 to 98 per cent of patients with a diagnosis of biceps tendinitis have, in reality, a primary diagnosis of impingement syndrome with secondary involvement of the biceps tendon (3). He has condemned routine biceps tenodesis.The veterinary literature on the biceps tendon in dogs is sparse (4-8). Tenosynovitis of the biceps tendon is “a common cause of forelimb lameness in medium and large breed dogs” (7). “Definitive diagnosis of bicipital tenosynovitis is often not possible, and the diagnosis is backed into by eliminating other causes of lameness. Proof of the diagnosis often depends on response to treatment” (7). There are not any reviews of cases of rupture of the tendon of the biceps brachii muscle except for anecdotal case reports (7). Arthrography has been described as diagnostic of rupture (10, 11). Calcifying tendinopathy of the biceps tendon was seen on radiographic views of the scapulohumeral joint in four dogs (9). Twodimensional real-time ultrasonography was found helpful in the diagnosis of strain of the infraspinatus muscle in a dog (12).This paper reviews the pertinent anatomy, explains the function of the biceps tendon, and presents a review of current concepts on the diagnosis of lesions of the biceps tendon.The author presents the clinical signs, radiographic and arthroscopic finding of the disorders of the biceps tendon seen in 25 shoulders. All biceps tendon lesions may be classified in one of the six subtypes. Partial or complete tears are the most frequent pathology. Degenerative joint disease is seen in 84% of the shoulders.

The glenohumeral joint is a remarkable articulation providing the greatest range of motion of any joint in the body. Glenohumeral stability results from several mechanisms, including those that do not require expenditure of energy by muscle ("passive mechanisms") and those that do ("active mechanisms"). Glenohumeral instability has been recognized in 47 shoulders of 45 dogs and one cat. Cases are presented because of chronic foreleg lameness. Shoulder joint pain is obviated by the orthopedic examination. Only 57% of the involved shoulders presented with degenerative joint disease. Signs of instability are recognized under anesthesia using a craniocaudal or mediolateral drawer sign or both. This report describes the radiographic and arthroscopic findings of shoulder instability. Arthroscopy of the shoulder joint allows identification of all intra-articular pathologies. Shoulder instability, not fully recognized in the past, appears to be the most common cause of shoulder lameness in the dog.

SummaryThe technique of arthroscopy of the elbow joint using the craniolateral portal is described in dogs. The technique was developed on ten cadavers and six experimental dogs. It allows a direct visualization of the cranial bony structures of the elbow of the cranial recess as well as of the humeroulnar joint and anconeal process through the supratrochlear foramen. The technique appears safe and reliable. Postoperative neurovascular injuries were not observed.The technique of arthroscopy of the elbow joint using the craniolateral portal is described in dogs.

Fractures of the scapula can be classified into four groups on the basis of the anatomic structures involved: 1. Fractures of the glenoid (articular surface) 2. Fractures of the neck 3. Fractures of the acromion 4. Fractures of the body and spine

Case histories of 130 dogs and cats with humeral fractures were reviewed. The different types of fractures were classified. Most animals with proximal, shaft, and supracondylar fractures had excellent results. The poor prognosis associated with distal articular fractures was due most often to failure of the fixation device in the supracondylar area; best results were achieved with a plate on the caudal and medial surface of the distal humerus.

The authors defined the concept of femoral torsion using three axes and two planes. Two techniques were used to measure the femoral anteversion angle on 30 femurs of 15 adult mixed breed dogs. The conventional fluoroscopic technique was compared to the right angle triangle technique. The mean angle for each technique was 30.80 and 31.31 degrees, respectively. The right angle triangle technique, using conventional radiographs, appeared as reliable, accurate, and reproducible as the fluoroscopic method and is recommended for clinical use.

Ten dogs and 1 cat with 12 chronically infected bones were treated surgically by means of saucerization, primary internal or external rigid fixation, and open irrigation drainage. After formation of a healthy granulation bed, autogenous cancellous bone grafting and skin closure were performed. Eleven of 12 bones healed 4 to 7 weeks (mean, 4.8 weeks) after treatment, without recurrence of infection. Eight of 12 chronically infected bones had a polymicrobial infection, with 2 to 6 bacterial species isolated. Gram-negative bacteria were isolated from 7 of the 12 bones, and anaerobic bacteria were isolated twice.