Download PDF
Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2012; 25(01): 11-21
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-10-02-0025
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

Computer-assisted gait analysis of the dog: Comparison of two surgical techniques for the ruptured cranial cruciate ligament

J. Böddeker
1   University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Small Animal Clinic, Hannover, Germany
,
S. Drüen
1   University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Small Animal Clinic, Hannover, Germany
,
A. Meyer-Lindenberg
1   University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Small Animal Clinic, Hannover, Germany
,
M. Fehr
1   University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Small Animal Clinic, Hannover, Germany
,
I. Nolte
1   University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Small Animal Clinic, Hannover, Germany
,
P. Wefstaedt
1   University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Small Animal Clinic, Hannover, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 18 February 2011

Accepted: 29 July 2011

Publication Date:
18 December 2017 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Summary

Objectives: To compare the improvement in degree of lameness following surgical repair of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs using computer-assisted gait analysis.

Methods: Two groups of 14 dogs were used. One group was treated by a capsular-fascial imbrication method, and the other group by tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO). All dogs underwent gait analysis prior to surgery, as well as at four days, four weeks, and four months after surgery. Symmetry indices of vertical ground reaction forces as well as vertical ground reaction forces in % body weight, joint angles and certain gait cycle parameters were evaluated.

Results: Four months after surgery, the degree of lameness expressed as symmetry index for peak vertical force for the TPLO group (5.83%) was not significantly different to the capsular-fascial imbrication group (19.05%). Within the TPLO group, there was a significantly increased ability to extend the stifle joint four months after surgery. The stifle motion pattern of the capsular-fascial imbrication group as well as the range-of-motion in both groups showed very little change at the time of the last gait analysis. The complication rate was greater in the TPLO group than in the capsular-fascial group.

Clinical significance: In conclusion the results suggest that the TPLO method leads to a faster recovery and improved limb function in comparison to the capsular-fascial imbrication method four months after surgery. Further analyses are needed to determine if the TPLO method is superior concerning long-term joint stability.

Online supplementary material: A video of the three-dimensional kinematic model is available online at: http://www.vcot-online.com

Keywords

Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy - capsularfascial imbrication method - ground reaction forces - joint angles - instrumented treadmill
 

  • References

  • 1 Johnson JA, Austin C, Breur GJ. Incidence of canine appendicular musculoskeletal disorders in 16 veterinary teaching hospitals from 1980 through 1989. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1994; 7: 56-69.
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Innes JF, Bacon D, Lynch C. et al. Long-term outcome of surgery for dogs with cranial cruciate ligament deficiency. Vet Rec 2000; 147: 325-328.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Off W, Matis U. Ganganalyse beim Hund Teil 1: Dynamometrische und kinemetrische Meßverfahren und ihre Anwendung beim Tetrapoden [Gait analysis in dogs. Part I: Dynamometric and kinemetric measurement methods and their application in tetrapods]. Tierärztl Prax 1997; 25: 8-14.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Waxman AS, Robinson DA, Evans RB. et al. Relationship between objective and subjective assessment of limb function in normal dogs with an experimentally induced lameness. Vet Surg 2008; 37: 241-246.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Anderson MA. Force plate analysis: a non-invasive tool for gait evaluation. Comp Cont Ed Pract Vat 1994; 16: 857-867.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 DeCamp CE, Soutas-Little RW, Hauptman J. et al. Kinematic gait analysis of the trot in healthy greyhounds. Am J Vet Res 1993; 54: 627-634.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Hottinger HA, DeCamp CE, Olivier NB. et al. Noninvasive kinematic analysis of the walk in healthy large-breed dogs. Am J. Vet Res 1996; 57: 381-388.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Colborne GR, Innes JF, Comerford EJ. et al. Distribution of power across the hind limb joints in Labrador Retrievers and Greyhounds. Am J Vet Res 2005; 66: 1563-1571.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Clements DN, Owen MR, Carmichael S. et al. Kinematic analysis of the gait of 10 labrador retrievers during treadmill locomotion. Vet Rec 2005; 156: 478-481.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Gradner G, Bockstahler B, Peham C. et al. Kinematic study of back movement in clinically sound malinois dogs with consideration of the effect of radiographic changes in the lumbosacral junction. Vet Surg 2007; 36: 472-481.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Bockstahler BA, Müller M, Henninger W. et al. Kinetische und kinematische Analyse der Bewegung (Ganganalyse) der Vorderextremitäten bei gesunden Militärhunden – Erhebung von Basis-werten [Kinetic and kinematic analysis of movement (gait alalysis) of the forelimbs in healthy military dogs – Ascertainment of basic values]. Wien Tierärztl Mschr 2008; 95: 127-138.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Bockstahler BA, Skalicky M, Peham C. et al. Reliability of ground reaction forces measured on a treadmill system in healthy dogs. Vet J 2005; 173: 373-378.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Leighton RL. Preferred method of repair of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs: a survey of ACVS Diplomates specializing in canine orthopaedics. Vet Surg 1999; 28: 194
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Cook JL, Luther JK, Beetem J. et al. Clinical comparison of a novel extracapsular stabilization procedure and tibial plateau leveling osteotomy for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament deficiency in dogs. Vet Surg 2010; 39: 315-323.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Fitzpatrick N, Solano MA. Predictive variables for complications after TPLO with stifle inspection by arthrotomy in 1000 consecutive dogs. Vet Surg 2010; 39: 460-474.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Ertelt J, Fehr M. Cranial cruciate ligament repair in dogs with and without meniscal lesions treated by different minimally invasive methods. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2009; 22: 21-26.
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Stauffer KD, Tuttle TA, Elkins AD. et al. Complications associated with 696 tibial plateau leveling osteotomies (2001–2003). J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2006; 42: 44-50.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Rayward RM, Thomson DG, Davies JV. et al. Progression of osteoarthritis following TPLO surgery: a prospective radiographic study of 40 dogs. J Small Anim Pract 2004; 45: 92-97.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Boudrieau RJ. Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy or tibial tuberosity advancement?. Vet Surg 2009; 38: 1-22.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Priddy NH, Tomlinson JL, Dodam JR. et al. Complications with and owner assessment of the outcome of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs: 193 cases (1997–2001). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2003; 222: 1726-1732.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Conzemius MG, Evans RB, Besancon MF. et al. Effect of surgical technique on limb function after surgery for rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2005; 226: 232-236.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Allgoewer I, Richter A, Grüning G. et al. Zwei intraextraartikuläre Stabilisationsmethoden zur Therapie der Ruptur des Ligamentum cruciatum craniale im Vergleich: Methode (mod.) nach FLO und Methode nach MEUTSTEGE [Two intra- and extra-articular stabilization methods for the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in comparison to the FLO (mod.) and MEUSTEGE methods]. Kleintierprax 2000; 45: 95-103.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Kealy RD, Lawler DF, Ballam JM. et al. Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2002; 220: 1315-1320.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Slocum B, Devine Slocum T. Meniscal Release. In: Bojrab MJ. editor. Current Techniques in Small Animal Surgery. 5th ed.. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins; 2005: 1197-1199.
    Google Scholar
  • 25 Budsberg SC, Jevens DJ, Brown J. et al. Evaluation of limb symmetry indices, using ground reaction forces in healthy dogs. Am J Vet Res 1993; 54: 1569-1574.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Slocum B, Slocum TD. Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy for repair of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in the canine. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 1993; 23: 777-795.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Löhe F, Graeb C, Jauch W. Klinische und experimentelle Studien – Notwendigkeit oder lästige Pflicht [Clinical and experimental studies: A necessity or an annoying task?. In: Krukemeyer MG, Spiegel HU. editors. Chirurgische Forschung [Surgical Research]. Stuttgart: Georg Thieme Verla;g 2005; 197-204.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Rumph PS, Kincaid SA, Vicso DM. Redistribution of vertical ground reaction force in dogs with experimentally induced chronic hindlimb lameness. Vet Surg 1995; 24: 384-389.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Jevens DJ, DeCamp CE, Hauptmann JG. et al. Use of force-plate analysis of gait to compare two surgical techniques for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs. Am J Vet Res 1996; 57: 383-393.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Alt F. Vergleichende Untersuchung zur Therapie der Rutur des Ligamentum cruciatum craniale beim Hund mit drei verschiedenen extraartikulären Operationsverfahren [Comparative study on the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs with three different extra-articular surgical procedures][dissertation]. Hannover, Germany: Tierärztliche Hochschule; 2000
    Google Scholar
  • 31 Thieman KM, Pozzi A, Ling HY. et al. Comparison of contact mechanics of three meniscal repair techniques and partial meniscectomy in cadaveric dog stifles. Vet Surg 2010; 39: 355-362.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Doverspike M, Vasseur PB, Harb MF. et al. Contra lateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture: incidence in 114 dogs. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1993; 29: 167-170.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Ballagas AJ, Montgomery RD, Henderson RA. et al. Pre- and postoperative force plate analysis of dogs with experimentally transected cranial cruciate ligaments treated using tibial plateau leveling osteotomy. Vet Surg 2004; 33: 187-190.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Budsberg SC, Verstraete MC, Soutas-Little RW. et al. Force plate analyses before and after stabilization of canine stifles for cruciate injury. Am J Vet Res 1988; 49: 1522-1524.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Chailleux N, Lussier B, De Guise J. et al. In vitro 3–dimensional kinematic evaluation of 2 corrective operations for cranial cruciate ligament-defiecient stifle. Can J Vet Res 2007; 71: 175-180.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Pacchina PD, Morris E, Gillings SL. et al. Surgical and postoperative complications associated with tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture: 397 cases (1998–2001). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2003; 222: 184-193.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 Vaughan LC. Complications associated with internal fixation of fractures in dogs. J Small Anim Pract 1975; 16: 415-423.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Metelman LA, Schwarz PD, Salman M. et al. An evaluation of three different cranial cruciate ligament surgical stabilization procedures as they relate to postoperative meniscal injuries. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1995; 8: 118-123.
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 39 Lazar TP, Berry CR, Dehaan JJ. et al. Long-term radiographic comparison of tibial plateau levelling osteotomy versus extracapsular stabilization for cranial cruciate ligament rupture in the dog. Vet Surg 2005; 34: 133-141.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 40 Au KK, Gordon-Evans WJ, Dunning D. et al. Comparison of short- and long-term function and radiographic osteoarthrosis in dogs after postoperative physical rehabilitation and tibial plateau leveling osteotomy or lateral fabellar suture stabilization. Vet Surg 2010; 39: 173-180.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar