02229-A: TPLO Surgery and Recovery: A Comparison of Arthroscopy and Arthrotomy
Grant Status: Closed
Abstract
Cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) rupture is the most common stifle (knee) condition in many breeds of dogs. Surgery is recommended to provide stabilization of the stifle and allow the patient to be free of lameness. Although several surgical procedures are available, all require examination and potential manipulation of damaged ligaments and cartilage inside the stifle joint. Traditionally, an incision (arthrotomy) into the joint was required; however, since the late 1990's, arthroscopy (using a small fiber optic camera placed into the joint) has been available in veterinary surgery. In human patients, arthroscopy is associated with lower costs and infection rates, and decreased morbidity (patient-related negative effects) compared to arthrotomy. Arthroscopy in dogs can be combined with many CrCL rupture surgeries including the Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO). Currently, clinical impressions are that dogs undergoing stifle arthroscopy are more comfortable and using their limbs sooner post-operatively than dogs undergoing arthrotomy for CrCL rupture surgery. To date, there is limited evidence to support this claim. This study will objectively measure and compare the recovery of dogs with CrCL rupture treated by TPLO with arthroscopy or arthrotomy. These findings will inform the decision-making process for stifle surgical procedures (arthrotomy or arthroscopy) to the veterinary and dog-owning communities.
Publication(s)
None at this time.
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