title: The effect of shock wave therapy on patellar ligament desmitis after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if shock wave therapy (SWT) after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) has a beneficial effect on patellar ligament inflammation assessed by thickening of the ligament and ligament fiber disruption.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs (n = 30).
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs that had TPLO (July 1, 2009 to June 1, 2010) were enrolled. The affected stifle was examined by radiographs and ultrasonography preoperatively and 4, 6, and 8 weeks after TPLO. At 4 and 6 weeks, dogs in the treatment group were briefly anesthetized and treated with SWT. Patellar ligament thickness on a lateral radiographic projection was measured at 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 of the distance from origin to insertion. Ultrasound images were evaluated for patellar ligament disruption and periligament edema.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was significant difference in thickness (P = .0264) only at the distal point; therefore, only this point was used to measure difference between the control and treatment groups. A significant difference between groups was reached at 6 and 8 weeks (P = .0059 and P = .0095, respectively) postoperatively. No significant ultrasonographic differences were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on these results, SWT decreases the radiographic signs of patellar ligament desmitis.
authors.affiliation: Georgia Veterinary Specialists, Sandy Springs, GA, USA. adgall281@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Alissa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gallagher
authors.forename: Alan R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sepulveda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D008297:Male; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D017847:Patellar Ligament / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D013264:Stifle / Q000293:injuries; D016896:Treatment Outcome