title: Prospective Evaluation of the Leipzig Stifle Distractor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the Leipzig Stifle Distractor (LSD) for arthroscopic evaluation of the medial meniscus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective clinical multi-center study.
  
  
  METHODS
  64 stifles of 64 dogs (mean body weight 35 kg) with suspected cranial cruciate ligament rupture.
  
  
  METHODS
  The LSD was used to distract the medial compartment and to evaluate the medial meniscus. The degree of exposure of the caudal pole of the medial meniscus (CMM) and ease of diagnosis was quantified after either distraction with the LSD or manipulation of the stifle with valgus stress and external rotation. Time for pin placement, level of difficulty and associated complications with LSD application were recorded. Medial collateral ligament integrity was tested by stress radiographs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean time for applying the LSD was 1.4 minutes (range 0.5-3.0). Application was considered easy in 90% and moderate in 10% of joints, with no complications recorded. LSD application increased exposure (P < .001) and facilitated probing of the CMM (P < .001), allowing for the diagnosis of 10 meniscal tears missed without the LSD. The use of LSD increased the likelihood of diagnosing a meniscal tear by 1.9 times. Based on the stress radiographs, medial collateral ligament integrity was maintained in all tested stifles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diagnosis of medial meniscal tears was improved using LSD. The LSD provided a safe and effective method for improved visualization and access to the caudal portion of the medial meniscus, which may allow for better arthroscopic assessment of meniscal pathology in dogs.
authors.affiliation: Vetacare, Erftstadt, Germany.
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Winkels
authors.affiliation: Department for Small Animal Surgery, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pozzi
authors.affiliation: Valley Veterinary Surgery, St. Charles, Illinois.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Böttcher
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012421:Rupture / Q000662:veterinary; D013264:Stifle / Q000601:surgery*