Stifle hyperextension identified in a dog with an excessively negative tibial plateau angle and a grossly intact cranial cruciate ligament following inappropriate cranial closing wedge ostectomy

Abstract

A cross breed dog was examined due to an abnormal right pelvic limb gait following cranial closing wedge ostectomy surgery. Gait evaluation revealed stifle hyperextension during the stance phase of the gait. Manipulation of the stifle revealed no cranial or caudal drawer and no cranial tibial thrust. Radiographs showed complete healing of the proximal tibial osteotomy, with a tibial plateau angle (TPA) of –14°. Computed tomography showed 20° of external tibial torsion on the right pelvic limb. A mini‐medial stifle arthrotomy revealed no gross damage to the cruciate ligaments and intact menisci. A cranial opening wedge osteotomy of 17° was performed and the torsional alignment corrected, after which the tibia was stabilised with orthogonal plates and an intramedullary pin. The postoperative radiographs confirmed a satisfactory TPA of 3° and normal tibial alignment. At 6 months follow‐up, a video record revealed normal right pelvic limb gait.