Treatment of dogs diagnosed with medial shoulder instability using radiofrequency-induced thermal capsulorrhaphy.
OBJECTIVE
To report clinical findings and outcome in dogs diagnosed with medial shoulder instability (MSI) treated with radiofrequency-induced thermal capsulorrhaphy (RITC).


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Dogs (n=43) with MSI.


METHODS
Medical records from consecutive cases with MSI based on orthopedic examination, palpation of shoulder abduction angles, and arthroscopic findings were used to determine clinical findings and long-term (> or = 1 year) outcome of RITC.


RESULTS
Forty-three dogs met the criteria for inclusion; 2 dogs had bilateral MSI. The most common clinical findings were chronic unilateral weight-bearing lameness, large (> 45 degrees) shoulder abduction angles, and spinatus muscle atrophy in the affected limb. Mean preoperative abduction angle (50.7 degrees +/- 4.8 degrees) in affected shoulders was significantly larger than in the unaffected shoulders (32.5 degrees +/- 2.1 degrees). Mean postoperative abduction angle in affected shoulders was not significantly different from unaffected shoulders when measured immediately, 8, 16-20 weeks, and approximately 1 year after surgery. Follow-up evaluation ranged from 1 to 6.2 years. RITC treatment resulted in improved clinical function in 40 cases (93%) with 34 cases (79%) considered excellent; 3 cases (7%) were considered failures.


CONCLUSIONS
RITC was a safe and effective method of treatment of MSI in most dogs studied.


CONCLUSIONS
RITC can be considered as a viable option for surgical treatment of selected cases of MSI in dogs.
Cook
James L
JL
Comparative Orthopaedic Laboratory, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. cookjl@missouri.edu
Tomlinson
James L
JL
Fox
Derek B
DB
Kenter
Keith
K
Cook
Cristi R
CR
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012785:Shoulder Joint; D016896:Treatment Outcome