title: Canine stifle joint biomechanics associated with tibial plateau leveling osteotomy predicted by use of a computer model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate effects of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) on canine stifle joint biomechanics in a cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)-deficient stifle joint by use of a 3-D computer model simulating the stance phase of gait and to compare biomechanics in TPLO-managed, CrCL-intact, and CrCL-deficient stifle joints.
  
  
  METHODS
  Computer simulations of the pelvic limb of a Golden Retriever.
  
  
  METHODS
  A previously developed computer model of the canine pelvic limb was used to simulate TPLO stabilization to achieve a tibial plateau angle (TPA) of 5° (baseline value) in a CrCL-deficient stifle joint. Sensitivity analysis was conducted for tibial fragment rotation of 13° to -3°. Ligament loads, relative tibial translation, and relative tibial rotation were determined and compared with values for CrCL-intact and CrCL-deficient stifle joints.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TPLO with a 5° TPA converted cranial tibial translation to caudal tibial translation and increased loads placed on the remaining stifle joint ligaments, compared with results for a CrCL-intact stifle joint. Lateral collateral ligament load was similar, medial collateral ligament load increased, and caudal cruciate ligament load decreased after TPLO, compared with loads for a CrCL-deficient stifle joint. Relative tibial rotation after TPLO was similar to that of a CrCL-deficient stifle joint. Stifle joint biomechanics were affected by TPLO fragment rotation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the model, stifle joint biomechanics were partially improved after TPLO, compared with CrCL-deficient stifle joint biomechanics, but TPLO did not fully restore CrCL-intact stifle joint biomechanics. Overrotation of the tibial fragment negatively influenced stifle joint biomechanics by increasing caudal tibial translation.
authors: Department of Bioengineering, J.B. Speed School of Engineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202.
authors: Nathan P
authors: NP
authors: Brown
authors: Gina E
authors: GE
authors: Bertocci
authors: Denis J
authors: DJ
authors: Marcellin-Little
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries*; D005684:Gait; D008954:Models, Biological; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D013264:Stifle / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery