Effect of tibial rotation on the tibial plateau angle measurement in dogs: An ex vivo study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of tibial rotation on radiographic tibial plateau angle (TPA) measurement in normal and cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)-deficient stifles. Study design: Cadaveric study. Sample population: Five pairs of canine cadaver hind limbs with no stifle osteoarthritis. Methods: Mediolateral radiographs of each specimen were obtained at 0 , 10 , 20 , and 30 of internal and external rotation of the tibia with both intact and transected CrCL. Two Kirschner wires were placed at the cranial and caudal landmarks of the tibial plateau, and the 0 views were imaged again, representing the anatomic TPA. Five observers measured the TPA twice on all images. Measurements were compared by using a mixed-model ANOVA. Intraobserver and interobserver variability were evaluated by using the coefficient of variation. Results: Tibial plateau angle did not differ among the anatomic, CrCL-intact, and CrCL-deficient 0 views or between the CrCL-intact and CrCL-deficient views at the various tibial rotations. The only difference detected was between CrCL-intact stifles radiographed at 0 and external rotation (range, 1.16 -1.6 ; P = .016, P = .001, and P < .001). Tibial rotation, CrCL transection, and their interaction all failed to influence intraobserver and interobserver variability (P > .05). Conclusion: In CrCL-deficient stifles, tibial rotation of up to 30 internally and externally did not result in clinically relevant changes in TPA measurements. Clinical significance: The TPA can be successfully measured with up to 30 of internal and external tibial rotation in CrCL-deficient stifles with no osteoarthritic changes.

Evaluation of the clinical value of routine radiographic examination during convalescence for tibial plateau‐leveling osteotomy

“…1 The tibial plateau-leveling osteotomy (TPLO) procedure is a common technique to stabilize cranial cruciate ligament (CCL)-deficient stifles. 2,3 Many complications have been identified and reported following TPLO. The recording of surgical complications has been standardized by Cook et al They are reported as minor, major, and catastrophic with timeframes reported as perioperative, and short term, intermediate, or long term.…”

The Role of Tibial Plateau Angle in Canine Cruciate Ligament Rupture—A Review of the Literature

“…28 In a recent study, mediolateral radiographs of hindlimbs with intact and transected cranial cruciate ligament were obtained at 0, 10, 20 and 30 degrees of internal and external rotation of the tibia to evaluate the effect of tibial rotation on the magnitude of the tibial plateau angle measurement. 44 No differences were found in the angle measurements between the intact and transected cranial cruciate ligament at 0, 10, 20 and 30 degrees of internal and external rotation ( p > 0.05). Also, no differences were found in the tibial plateau angle measurements of intact cranial cruciate ligament between 0 degree and all degrees of internal rotation (10, 20 and 30 degrees), but the difference in angle of intact cranial cruciate ligament between 0 degree and all degrees of external rotation, 10 degrees (−1.16 degrees, p = 0.016), 20 degrees (−1.36 degrees, p = 0.001) and 30 degrees (−1.6 degrees, p < 0.001) was noted.…”

“…No difference at any rotational view of transected cranial cruciate ligament compared with 0 degrees ( p > 0.05) was found. 44…”

“…No difference at any rotational view of transected cranial cruciate ligament compared with 0 degrees (p > 0.05) was found. 44 Differences between lateral and medial tibial plateau angles in dogs were explained in an osteological study performed by Sabanci and Ocal. 45 The difference between the mean medial (24.0 AE 3.19 degrees) and the mean lateral tibial plateau angle (25.5 AE 3.84 degrees) measured from photographs was significant (p < 0.05) and it was indicated that different medial and lateral angles could be factors leading to cranial cruciate ligament injury in these animals.…”

Proximodistal and caudocranial position of the insertion of the patellar ligament on the tibial tuberosity and patellar ligament length of normal stifles and stifles with grade II medial patellar luxation in small‐breed dogs

“…Mediolateral radiographs of the stifle joint from each dog were used to perform the measurements. Correct positioning was determined as superposition of femoral condyles, superposition of tibial intercondylar eminences and clear delineation of the tibial plateau 18,26,29–31 . A blind investigation of the data was conducted.…”