Stifle joint osteoarthritis at the time of diagnosis of cranial cruciate ligament injury is higher in Boxers and in dogs weighing more than 35 kilograms

Abstract

Osteoarthritis is a ubiquitous disease in dogs. The purpose of this retrospective study was to characterize the severity and distribution of osteoarthritis (OA) within the joint and to identify differences among dog breeds in the severity of OA in the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL)-deficient stifle joint. Radiographs of 240 stifles from 51 Boxers, 66 German Shepherds, 100 Labrador Retrievers, and 23 Siberian Huskies with confirmed CCL rupture were included. Radiographs of the stifle joint were evaluated and OA severity was graded at 33 sites within and around the joint, and patella alta was graded as present or absent for a potential total stifle OA score of 100. Osteophyte size was correlated to OA severity score. Total OA scores were calculated and compared within and between breeds globally as well as at each joint site. Dogs weighing >35 kg had a higher total OA score than those weighing <35 kg. Osteoarthritis scores were highest at the apical patella, proximolateral tibia, and sesamoid bones, corresponding to the proximal, lateral, and caudal aspects of the joint, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found among the mean OA scores of various stifle joint regions. Boxer dogs had a higher total OA score than other breeds.We concluded that dogs have a consistent distribution pattern of OA within the stifle joint after CCL injury. Radiographic OA is more severe in the proximal, lateral, and caudal aspects of the joint.Boxers had more severe OA than the other breeds evaluated in the study. K E Y W O R D Scranial cruciate ligament, dog, osteoarthritis, osteophytes

Locking compression plates versus locking plates for tibial plateau levelling osteotomy in dogs: progression of osteoarthritis, bone healing score and lameness degree

“…In the present study, no significant correlation was observed between dog’s weight at presentation and OA score, according to Rayward et al [ 17 ]. The exclusion of dogs weighing less than 20 kg from our study may explain the discrepancy with the results of Gilbert et al [ 33 ], who reported that dogs weighing > 35 kg had a higher total osteoarthrosis score than smaller dogs. In this study a breed predisposition to the development of osteoarthritis has not been assessed due to the reduced number of pure-breed dogs ( n = 9/28) versus the cross-breed dogs ( n = 19/28) in the study.…”

Epidemiology of Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture and Patellar Luxation in Dogs from the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

“…Breed has been extensively studied in relation to cranial cruciate ligament rupture and patellar luxation in dogs. 1,12,17,18,22,25,30,[32][33][34] In the current study, such asso-ciation was significant with both conditions, having groups 2, 3 and 8 higher odds of having cranial cruciate ligament rupture. According to previous reports, terrier breeds have increased risk for cranial cruciate ligament rupture.…”

“…9,17,19 Similarly, our retrospective data analysis did not support the role of sex as a risk factor for having cranial cruciate ligament rupture and patellar luxation, as already reported. 11,18,[20][21][22][23][24] Some authors found that female sex increased such risk 9,17,25 and others described more male dogs diagnosed with patellar luxation in their study populations. 6,20,25 Studies about the association between age and prevalence of cranial cruciate ligament rupture and patellar luxation have shown conflicting results.…”

“…In this sense, a recent study describes that the prevalence of stifle joint osteoarthritis at the time of cranial cruciate ligament rupture diagnosis was higher in dogs weighing more than 35 kg. 22 It has also been suggested that cranial cruciate ligament degeneration is influenced by body weight increase, because joint pressure and tension on the ligaments are higher, thus accelerating the degeneration process. 2 However, a recently study did no find body weight to be an environmental risk factor for cranial cruciate ligament rupture and suggested that is not the best indicator of body condition due to body size variation.…”

Detection of vector-borne pathogens in owned dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture living in the Mediterranean area

“…Cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) is a common cause of pelvic limb lameness in dogs that results most often from a degenerative process that leads to rupture of the ligament. Several risk factors have been described, such as age, breed, sex, neutering status, and weight [ 1 , 2 ]. However, CCLR is likely to have a multifactorial origin involving genetics, anatomic conformation, and chronic joint inflammation, eventually leading to rupture of the ligament and osteoarthritis [ 3 , 4 ].…”