Radiographic measurement of the proximal and distal mechanical joint angles in the canine tibia.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a method for radiographic measurement of proximal and distal mechanical joint angles of the canine tibia. Normal ranges were established for a population of dogs, and specifically, Labrador retrievers, with cranial cruciate ligament rupture.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Tibiae (n=105) of dogs evaluated for cranial cruciate ligament rupture; 70 tibiae were from Labrador retrievers, 35 tibiae were from other breeds.


METHODS
Anatomic landmarks were established and craniocaudal radiographs were used to measure the mechanical medial proximal (mMPTA) and distal (mMDTA) tibial angles in the frontal plane.


RESULTS
Means (+/-SD) for all tibiae were mMPTA, 93.30+/-1.78 degrees, and mMDTA, 95.99+/-2.70 degrees. For Labrador retrievers, means were mMPTA, 93.38+/-1.81 degrees, and mMDTA 96.34+/-2.51 degrees. No significant differences were detected between Labrador Retrievers and non-Labrador retrievers with respect to mMPTA (power=0.5) or mMDTA (power=0.342). Labrador Retrievers were significantly younger than non-Labradors (P=.003).


CONCLUSIONS
A method for measurement of the mechanical joint angles of the canine tibia in the frontal plane was established and reference ranges for a population of dogs and Labrador Retrievers with cranial cruciate ligament rupture are reported.


CONCLUSIONS
The established method of measurement and references ranges can be used to aid in diagnosis, determining indications, and surgical planning for angular limb deformities of the tibia, especially when affected bilaterally. The methodology and reference values may also be used for postoperative critique.
Dismukes
David I
DI
Comparative Orthopaedic Laboratory, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. dismukesd@missouri.edu
Tomlinson
James L
JL
Fox
Derek B
DB
Cook
James L
JL
Song
Kug Ju Eddie
KJ
D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001947:Breeding; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004285:Dogs; D011859:Radiography / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D013045:Species Specificity; D013264:Stifle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries; D013977:Tibia / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries