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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol
DOI: 10.1055/a-2564-9008
Original Research

Incidence of Medial Meniscus Injury Detected by Arthroscopy in Toy Breed Dogs (≤5 kg) with Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture

Yuki Kikuchi   *
1   VCA Japan YPC Tokyo Animal Orthopedic Surgery Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
,
Masakazu Shimada    *
2   Laboratory of Small Animal Surgery 1, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Aomori, Japan
,
Ayaka Honnami
1   VCA Japan YPC Tokyo Animal Orthopedic Surgery Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
,
Hiroyuki Akagi
1   VCA Japan YPC Tokyo Animal Orthopedic Surgery Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
,
Fumitaka Takahashi
,
Shinya Yamaguchi
1   VCA Japan YPC Tokyo Animal Orthopedic Surgery Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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Abstract

Objective

To investigate the frequency and factors of medial meniscal injury (MMI) associated with cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CrCLR) in toy breed dogs by arthroscopic evaluation.

Methods

Toy breed dogs (≤5 kg) diagnosed with CrCLR using stifle arthroscopy were included. Age, sex, body weight, breed, medial patellar luxation grade, degree of lameness at diagnosis, and duration of lameness until diagnosis were obtained from medical records. The tibial plateau angle was evaluated using preoperative radiography. On arthroscopic evaluation, degree of CrCLR was classified as partial or complete; MMI was classified as no, mild, or severe injury. MMI grade was used as objective variable; ordered logistic regression was used, and the final model was created using forward–backward stepwise selection.

Results

Overall, 202 stifles of 178 dogs were evaluated. Arthroscopic evaluation revealed partial and complete CrCLR, and MMI in 58, 144, and 74 stifles, respectively. MMI with mild and severe damage was noted in 50 and 24 stifles, respectively. Final model included body weight, lameness score, and degree of cranial cruciate ligament damage. A grade 3 lameness score had a higher MMI factor than grade 1. Higher body weight was associated with MMI, and complete rupture had a higher MMI factor than partial tears.

Conclusion

Arthroscopic evaluation of CrCLR cases showed MMI in toy breed dogs. Cases with complete CrCLR or severe lameness are at high risk of MMI and should be evaluated cautiously.

Keywords

toy breed dog - cranial cruciate ligament rupture - medial meniscus injury - arthroscopy

Authors' Contribution

Y.K. and M.S. contributed to the conception of the study, study design, data acquisition, data analysis, interpretation, and drafting of the manuscript. A.H., H.A., and F.T. contributed to data acquisition, data analysis, and interpretation. S.Y. contributed to study conception, study design, and data acquisition. All the authors have revised and approved the manuscript.


* These authors contributed equally to this work.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 12 April 2024

Accepted: 23 March 2025

Article published online:
15 April 2025

© 2025. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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