Evaluation of a method for experimental induction of osteoarthritis of the hip joints in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a method for experimental induction of osteoarthritis in the hip joints of dogs.


METHODS
12 mixed-breed dogs.


METHODS
A unilateral triple pelvic osteotomy was performed. In 6 dogs, the iliac osteotomy was repaired with 45 degrees of internal rotation, reducing coverage of the femoral head by the acetabulum. In the other 6 dogs, the fragments were repaired in anatomic alignment. Radiography, force plate evaluations, and subjective lameness evaluations were performed before and after surgery. Dogs were euthanatized 7 months after surgery, and samples of cartilage and joint capsule were examined histologically.


RESULTS
Subjective lameness scores, radiographic appearance of the hip joints, and Norberg angles were not significantly different between groups; however, force plate evaluations did reveal significant differences in vertical ground reaction forces. Femoral head coverage was significantly decreased with rotation of the acetabulum. Mild inflammatory changes were discernible in the joint capsule and articular cartilage of some dogs in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that 45 degrees internal rotation of the acetabulum does not consistently induce biologically important osteoarthritic changes in the hip joints of dogs.
Renberg
W C
WC
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg 24061, USA.
Johnston
S A
SA
Carrig
C B
CB
Budsberg
S C
SC
Ye
K
K
Veit
H P
HP
D000077:Acetabulum / Q000601:surgery; D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004285:Dogs; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D007085:Ilium / Q000601:surgery; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D017746:Joint Capsule / Q000473:pathology; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D010388:Pelvis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D011897:Random Allocation; D014743:Videotape Recording