Grant Amount: $75,816

Dr. Gina Bertocci, PhD, University of Louisville

January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2014

Sponsor(s): Leonberger Health Foundation, Samoyed Club of America Education & Research Foundation

Breed(s): American Staffordshire Terrier, Bearded Collie, Boxer, Bulldog, Chow Chow, Dogue de Bordeaux, German Wirehaired Pointer, Labrador Retriever, Leonberger, Newfoundland, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Silky Terrier, Small Munsterlander Pointer, Swedish Vallhund

Disease(s): Cruciate Ligament Rupture

Research Program Area: Musculoskeletal Conditions and Disease

Abstract

Cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) deficiency affects the canine stifle and is one of the most common orthopedic problems in dogs, having an economic impact of more than $1 billion in the US and a prevalence of 2.55% across all breeds of dogs. Some breeds have exceedingly high rates of CrCL deficiency, with Newfoundlands (8.9%), Rottweilers (8.3%), and Labrador Retrievers (5.8%) having the greatest prevalence of disease. Surgical intervention is the treatment of choice to stabilize the CrCL-deficient stifle, but no single surgical procedure has been shown to conclusively provide long-term joint stability and prevent the development of osteoarthritis. Dr. Bertocci proposes to investigate commonly employed surgical procedures (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy, tibial tuberosity advancement and extra-capsular stabilization) using her previously developed canine pelvic limb 3D computer model to gain an improved understanding of stifle biomechanics following CrCL-deficient stifle stabilization. She and her research team will investigate parameters specific to each surgical procedure using their novel computer model to further our understanding of stifle stabilization. Furthermore, they will investigate anatomical characteristics (e.g. tibial plateau angle) to gain an improved understanding of their role in the efficacy of surgical intervention. The outcome of this study will be a biomechanical, evidence-based assessment of the currently used stifle stabilization surgical procedures.