Pressure distributions on the medial tibial plateau after medial meniscal surgery and tibial plateau levelling osteotomy in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of medial meniscal release (MMR) and medial, caudal pole hemimeniscectomy (MCH) on pressure distribution in the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) deficient canine stifle, and with tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO).


METHODS
Twelve adult dogs.


METHODS
In experiment one, six pairs of cadaveric canine stifles with an intact CCL were axially loaded with a servo-hydraulic material testing machine and pressure distributions were mapped and quantified using pressure sensitive films. Axial loading of each joint was then repeated following MMR, and again after MCH. In experiment two, six pairs of cadaveric canine stifles with or without TPLO were tested before and after CCL transection, and each MMR and MCH procedure using the same methods of experiment 1.


RESULTS
In experiment one, MMR and MCH had significant effects on the pressure distribution resulting in a 2.5-fold increase in the percentage of surface area with pressure higher than 10 MPa. In experiment two, CCL transection resulted in a significant change in pressure distribution only in the stifle without TPLO (P<0.05). Both MMR and MCH resulted in a 1.7-fold increase in the percentage of area with peak pressure in the stifle with TPLO (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Meniscal surgery results in a change in pressure distribution and magnitude within the medial compartment of the stifle.


CONCLUSIONS
Compromised function of the meniscus by either MMR or MCH result in stress concentration which may predispose to osteoarthritis.
Pozzi
A
A
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Litsky
A S
AS
Field
J
J
Apelt
D
D
Meadows
C
C
Johnson
K A
KA
D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D002102:Cadaver; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D013264:Stifle / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome