• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 2015

We evaluated outcomes of dogs surgically treated for grade 2 or 3 medial patellar luxation (MPL) with and without trochleoplasty. A retrospective study of 63 dogs with grade 2 or 3 MPL surgically treated with or without trochleoplasty was performed. Results of radiographic evaluation were expressed numerically as degenerative joint disease score and were compared between the groups with and without trochleoplasty. The study included 7 (7/68, 10.3%) cases of reluxation and 1 case of tibial tuberosity transposition implant failure. Reluxation and complications requiring additional surgery were confirmed in 3 cases (3/47, 6.4%) in trochleoplasty group and in 1 case (1/21, 4.8%) in nontrochleoplasty group. The nontrochleoplasty group showed a shorter recovery time than the trochleoplasty group (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in degenerative joint disease scores over time between the groups, with nontrochleoplasty group having lower scores (P < 0.05). This study suggests that surgical treatment without trochleoplasty results in favorable outcomes compared to treatment with trochleoplasty. It is not mandatory to exclude trochleoplasty when performing surgery for grade 2 or 3 MPL, but we propose that surgical treatment without trochleoplasty is one option when choosing a combination of surgical techniques.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.251-254
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• 2015

A 3-year-old castrated male Spitz dog (8.4 kg) was referred for hindlimb lameness. The dog had undergone corrective surgery for bilateral medial patellar luxation 6 weeks prior to presentation. Intermittent lameness of both hind limbs was evident on general inspection. Physical examination revealed moderate pain and crepitus upon flexion and extension of the stifle joints. Radiography revealed features consistent with distal deviation of the cartilage flaps and effusion in both stifle joints. Detachment and deviation of both osteochondral blocks were suspected based on the physical and radiographic findings. Arthroscopy confirmed failed osteochondral blocks (right $1.5cm{\times}0.9cm{\times}0.2cm$, left $1.3cm{\times}0.9cm{\times}0.1cm$), which were removed. After removal of the osteochondral blocks, the stepped trochlear grooves were located and debrided using an arthroscopic burr, to prevent patellar tracking disorder. The dog resumed normal ambulation without medial patellar luxation 2 weeks postoperatively, and there were no complications. Arthroscopy is an effective surgical modality for the diagnosis and treatment of canine joint disorders. It offers a magnified view of the joint, which allows accurate evaluation of intra-articular structures. In addition, arthroscopic surgery can reduce the postoperative complications associated with surgical wound.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.936-945
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• 1998

This study was performed to investigate the best surgical technique for normal stifle mobility by comparison with clinical signs and histopathological changes of articular cartilage after femoral trochleoplasty, trochlear chondroplasty and trochlear wedge recession. Twelve small mixed dogs who had grade I or II medial patellar luxation were used. The days that the dog had partial and full weight bearing were checked and histopathological changes 49 and 90 days after surgery were observed. The dogs had partial weight bearing in 3~6 days postoperatively and full weight bearing in 20~24 days. After femoral trochlepoplasty, the articular surface was irregular and rough, but smooth after trochlear chondroplasty and trochlear wedge recession. Histopathologic examination performed on the 49th and 90th days after femoral trochleoplasty revealed that articular surface was occupied by fibrocartilage but the hyaline cartilages are preserved after trochlear chondroplasty and trochlear wedge recession. In trochlear wedge recession, the wedges of all cases were firmly attached to underlying subchondral bone which were indicating complete healing. The results of this study suggested that the trochlear wedge recession was the best chondroplasty for correcting patellar luxation.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.11-14
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• 2014

This is a retrospective study describing postoperative complication encountered with surgery performed in dogs with medial patellar luxation (MPL). During the 4-year period, 77 operations had been performed in 66 dogs for correction of MPL. The patients were surgically treated with medial soft tissue release, lateral soft tissue tightening, trochlear block recession, and/or tibial tuberosity transposition (TTT). Their prognoses were periodically evaluated for 6 months postoperatively. The failure rate was higher in revision surgery than in the first surgery, and the most common postoperative complication was migration of the tibial tuberosity fragment. The causes for the migration of the tibial tuberosity fragment were identified as the downward insertion of a surgical pin, the eccentric position of an inserted pin in the tibial tuberosity fragment, and blunt angle formation of the tibial tuberosity. It is suggested that the appropriate methods for TTT could minimize complications and lead to a good prognosis.