Angle between the patellar ligament and tibial plateau in dogs with partial rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the angles between the patellar ligament and the tibial plateau and between the patellar ligament and the common tangent at the tibiofemoral contact point (TFCP) in stifle joints of dogs with partial rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) for comparison with data obtained for stifle joints in dogs with intact CrCLs.


METHODS
60 stifle joints of 54 dogs with surgically confirmed partial CrCL rupture.


METHODS
Mediolateral radiographic views of the stifle joints were obtained, and the angles between the patellar ligament and the conventionally defined tibial plateau (angle gamma) and between the patellar ligament and the common tangent to the TFCP (angle alpha) were measured at incidental stifle joint flexion (angle beta) by 2 independent observers. Data underwent linear regression analysis and were compared with findings in joints of dogs without degenerative joint disease.


RESULTS
In stifle joints of dogs with a partial rupture of the CrCL, angles gamma and alpha were 5 degrees and 2 degrees larger than each corresponding angle in healthy canine joints. At 100 degrees of flexion, the patellar ligament was perpendicular to the conventionally defined tibial plateau. At 110 degrees of flexion, the patellar ligament was perpendicular to the common tangent at the TFCP.


CONCLUSIONS
In dogs, stifle joints with partially ruptured CrCLs have marginally larger angles between the patellar ligament and the tibial plateau, compared with joints with intact CrCLs; at equivalent angles of flexion, comparatively greater shear force affects the CrCLs in stifle joints with partial CrCL ruptures.
Schwandt
Christian S
CS
Clinic for Small Animal Surgery, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Bohorquez-Vanelli
Alejandra
A
Tepic
Slobodan
S
Hassig
Michael
M
Dennler
Renate
R
Vezzoni
Aldo
A
Montavon
Pierre M
PM
D000818:Animals; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004285:Dogs / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology; D017847:Patellar Ligament / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D013264:Stifle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology; D013977:Tibia / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology