title: The effect of stifle angle on cranial tibial translation following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy: an in vitro experimental analysis.
abstract: This study was designed to determine the ability of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) to eliminate cranial tibial translation (CTT) through a loaded range of motion. Twenty-four large-breed canine cadaver limbs were compared. Each limb was placed in a custom designed jig at 120° of stifle extension under an axial load of 20% body weight. A force of approximately 10 N/s mimiced the action of the quadriceps muscle and allowed the limb to move from 120° to maximal extension. Positional data were acquired using electromagnetic motion-tracking sensors. Each limb was tested under normal, cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)-deficient, and TPLO-treated conditions. Cranial tibial translation significantly increased after transection of the CrCL. The TPLO failed to normalize CTT within the CrCL deficient stifle; however, values trended towards intact values throughout the range of motion. The TPLO was more effective at higher angles of flexion. These altered biomechanics may help explain the continued progression of osteoarthritis in TPLO repaired stifles. This loaded model may serve as a method for future evaluation of other surgical techniques.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Duckpond Drive Phase II, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA. kjohnson@animalerc.com
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Otto
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lanz
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elder
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Werre
authors.forename: Tisha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Harper
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013264:Stifle / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology*; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology