Effect of two muscle sling techniques on early morbidity after femoral head and neck excision in dogs

Mobility, functionality and functional mobility: A review and application for canine veterinary patients

Mobility is an essential aspect of a dog's daily life. It is defined as the ability to move freely and easily and deviations from an animals' normal mobility capabilities are often an indicator of disease, injury or pain. When a dog's mobility is compromised, often functionality (ability to perform activities of daily living [ADL]), is also impeded, which can diminish an animal's quality of life. Given this, it is necessary to understand the extent to which conditions impact a dog's physiological ability to move around their environment to carry out ADL, a concept termed functional mobility. In contrast to human medicine, validated measures of canine functional mobility are currently limited. The aim of this review is to summarise the extent to which canine mobility and functionality are associated with various diseases and how mobility and functional mobility are currently assessed within veterinary medicine. Future work should focus on developing a standardised method of assessing functional mobility in dogs, which can contextualise how a wide range of conditions impact a dog's daily life. However, for a true functional mobility assessment to be developed, a greater understanding of what activities dogs do on a daily basis and movements underpinning these activities must first be established.

Use of clinical and computed tomography findings to assess long-term unsatisfactory outcome after femoral head and neck ostectomy in four large breed dogs

Femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHNO) is a salvage surgical procedure intended to eliminate hip joint laxity associated pain in the immature dog, or pain due to secondary osteoarthritis in the mature dog. The outcome of the procedure is associated with the size of the dog but the cause of a generally poorer outcome in larger breeds has not been determined. The objective of this study was to assess the long-term results of FHNO associated with unsatisfactory functional outcome by means of clinical examination and computed tomography (CT) scanning. Four large mixed breed dogs underwent FHNO in different veterinary clinics. Clinical and CT scanning evaluations were carried out long time after the procedures had been done. Hip pain, muscle atrophy, decreased range of motion and chronic lameness were observed at clinical examination. Extensive remodelling, unacceptable bone-on-bone contact with bony proliferation involving the femoral neck and acetabulum, but also excessive removal with bone lysis were observed by CT scanning. Revision osteotomy was performed in one dog. Deep gluteal muscle interposition was used, but no improvements were observed postoperatively. This is the first report on the evaluation of three-dimensional CT reconstructions of the late bone remodelling associated with poor clinical outcome in large dogs. The study shows that FHNO could lead to severe functional deficits in large breed dogs. An extensive follow-study is necessary to more accurately determine the frequency of such complications.

Validity and repeatability of goniometry in normal horses

PURPOSE

To assess validity and inter- and intra-tester reliability of equine goniometry and to establish values for carpal, metacarpophalangeal, tarsal, and metatarsophalangeal flexion and extension in horses.

SUBJECTS

Seventeen healthy equine subjects of varied breeds were used.

METHODS

Three investigators blindly and independently measured in triplicate the extension and flexion of carpal, metacarpophalangeal, tarsal, and metatarsophalangeal joints of 17 horses after sedation. Radiographs of these joints in flexion and extension were acquired while under sedation. Goniometric and radiographic measurements were compared statistically and were correlated. A Bland-Altman plot was constructed. Inter- and intra-tester repeatability of goniometry were evaluated by calculating intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Mean flexion and extension of carpal, metacarpophalangeal, tarsal, and metatarsophalangeal joints were calculated.

RESULTS

Goniometric and radiographic measurements did not differ statistically and were significantly correlated (correlation coefficients ranged from 0.59 - 0.89). The mean difference between goniometric and radiographic measurements was 0.4°. Triplicate measurements collected by the three raters did not differ significantly within raters (ICC ranging from 0.950 - 0.995) and between raters (ICC ranging from 0.942 - 0.989).

CONCLUSION

Goniometry is a valid and repeatable tool for evaluation of the range of motion of carpal, metacarpophalangeal, tarsal, and metatarsophalangeal joints in standing, sedated healthy horses.

Treatment of hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a common orthopaedic developmental disorder of dogs. This paper reviews the treatment options available for management of the condition in the skeletally immature and adult dog.

Effects of postoperative administration of ketoprofen or carprofen on short- and long-term results of femoral head and neck excision in dogs

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether postoperative administration of ketoprofen or carprofen had any effects on short- or long-term results of femoral head and neck excision (FHNE) in dogs.

DESIGN

Prospective randomized controlled trial.

ANIMALS

40 client-owned, large-breed dogs undergoing FHNE and 15 healthy large-breed dogs used as controls for hip joint angle measurements and force plate analyses.

PROCEDURE

Dogs undergoing FHNE were treated with ketoprofen, carprofen, or a placebo for 21 days after surgery. Hip joint abduction and extension angles were measured at the end of surgery and 120 days later. Lameness scores were assigned, and force plate analyses were performed on days 3, 15, and 120.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences among treatment groups in regard to hip joint angles or lameness scores. Force plate analysis revealed that dogs in all 3 treatment groups bore consistently less weight on the operated limb than did control dogs for the duration of the study. Dogs receiving ketoprofen had greater peak propulsive force at a walk on day 3 and greater peak vertical force at a walk on day 15 than did dogs receiving the placebo. Treatment of an acute condition and preservation of the lesser trochanter, but not postoperative analgesic administration, were positively associated with ground reaction forces on day 120. Owners of 12 of 31 dogs indicated that the dog's gait worsened for a few days after discontinuation of analgesic administration.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Administration of ketoprofen or carprofen after surgery was not associated with long-term results of FHNE, probably because of the impact of other factors. Because some owners noticed worsening of the lameness following cessation of analgesic administration in the present study, it is possible that longer administration would have improved long-term results.

Uso do laser arseneto de gálio (904nm) após excisão artroplástica da cabeça do fêmur em cães

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a ação do laser diodo Arseneto de Gálio na evolução pós-operatória de cães submetidos à excisão artroplástica da cabeça e colo do fêmur. MÉTODOS: Treze cães portadores de Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease ou Necrose Asséptica da Cabeça do Fêmur (NACF) foram divididos em dois grupos: (I) sete cães que não foram irradiados - grupo controle; (II) seis cães irradiados uma vez ao dia durante cinco dias consecutivos com o laser Arseneto de Gálio (904nm), densidade de energia 4J/cm2 e tempo de exposição automaticamente ajustado pelo aparelho. Para a avaliação da evolução pós-operatória preencheu-se protocolo com graduação da dor de apoio do membro operado. Utilizou-se teste estatístico não paramétrico U de Mann-Whitney para análise dos resultados. RESULTADOS: O grupo I iniciou o apoio do membro com uma média de 12 dias de pós-operatório e o grupo II com uma média de quatro dias de pós-operatório, sendo estatisticamente significante (p=0.0012). CONCLUSÃO: A irradiação com o laser de baixa potência Arseneto de Gálio (904nm) na dose 4J/cm2, periarticular, promoveu rápido retorno da função do membro em cães após a excisão artroplástica da cabeça do fêmur, otimizando a recuperação pós-operatória.

Reliability of goniometry in Labrador Retrievers

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the reliability of goniometry by comparing goniometric measurements with radiographic measurements and evaluate the effects of sedation on range of joint motion.

ANIMALS

16 healthy adult Labrador Retrievers.

PROCEDURE

3 investigators blindly and independently measured range of motion of the carpus, elbow, shoulder, tarsus, stifle, and hip joints of 16 Labrador Retrievers in triplicate before and after dogs were sedated. Radiographs of all joints in maximal flexion and extension were made during under sedation. Goniometric measurements were compared with radiographic measurements. The influence of sedation and the intra- and intertester variability were evaluated; 95% confidence intervals for all ranges of motion were determined.

RESULTS

Results of goniometric and radiographic measurements were not significantly different. Results of measurements made by the 3 investigators were not significantly different. Multiple measurements made by 1 investigator varied from 1 to 6 degrees (median, 3 degrees) depending on the joint. Sedation did not influence the range of motion of the evaluated joints.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Goniometry is a reliable and objective method for determining range of motion of joints in healthy Labrador Retrievers.

Surgical treatment of osteoarthritis

Surgical treatment of OA is appropriate when conservative therapy fails or is inadequate. The veterinary orthopedist's goals in treatment should be to alleviate pain, maintain function, and prevent or remove the potential for further degeneration of the joint. Currently, in veterinary surgery, THR and femoral head and neck excision are the primary treatments for OA of the coxofemoral joint. Other joints are treated primarily by arthrodesis or excision arthroplasty. Arthroscopy is proving to be a valuable tool in the diagnosis and treatment of OA, and total stifle and elbow replacement and cartilage resurfacing through chondrocyte grafting are on the horizon as potential treatment options.

Long-term follow-up of avascular necrosis of the femoral head in the dog

In a clinical study of 35 dogs with avascular necrosis of the femoral head, 60 per cent were Yorkshire terriers; the mean age of 33 of the dogs at onset of clinical signs was seven months. The dogs had the following signs: muscle atrophy (n = 25), shortening of the affected leg (n = 14), pain on passive movement of the hip joint (n = 28), and crepitation of the hip joint (n = 8). Radiographic findings were irregular density and flattening of the femoral head in combination with degenerative joint disease. Conservative treatment consisted of exercise therapy, and surgical treatment of a standard femoral head and neck excision. In 17 of the dogs the results of therapy were evaluated with the help of a questionnaire. It is concluded that femoral head and neck excision is indicated when conservative treatment fails to lead to clinical improvement within four weeks. Femoral head and neck excision has a good long term prognosis; however, slight intermittent lameness may remain.