Comparison of tibial plateau angles in dogs with and without cranial cruciate ligament injuries

• Published in: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Vol. 218; no. 3; pp. 363 - 366
• Main Authors: Morris, E, Lipowitz, A J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-02-2001
• Subjects: Animals; Anterior Cruciate Ligament - diagnostic imaging; Anterior Cruciate Ligament - pathology; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; Dog Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Dog Diseases - etiology; Dog Diseases - pathology; Dogs; Female; Male; Prospective Studies; Radiography; Rupture - etiology; Rupture - pathology; Rupture - veterinary; Stifle - anatomy & histology; Stifle - diagnostic imaging; Stifle - injuries; Tibia - anatomy & histology
• ISSN: 0003-1488
• DOI: 10.2460/javma.2001.218.363

To measure and compare tibial plateau angles (TPA) of dogs with cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) injuries and dogs without CrCL injuries.
Prospective study.
87 dogs.
Stifle joints were measured from lateral radiographic views to determine TPA in 3 groups: group-1 dogs had CrCL injuries, group-1a dogs, a subgroup of group 1, had 1 unaffected stifle joint, and group-2 dogs had no CrCL injuries. Age, sex, breed, body weight, limb injured, and TPA were recorded for each dog.
56 stifle joints were measured in group-1 dogs; mean TPA was 23.76 degrees , and mean age and weight were 5.7 years and 37.91 kg (83.4 lb), respectively. Fourteen stifle joints were measured in group-1a dogs; mean TPA was 24.71 degrees , and mean age and weight were 5.6 years and 38.06 kg (83.8 lb), respectively. Sixty stifle joints were measured in group-2 dogs; mean TPA was 18.10 degrees , and mean age and weight of these dogs were 4.83 years and 35.85 kg (79 lb), respectively. The most common breeds included Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, and Rottweiler. The TPA of dogs in group 1 and group 1a were significantly greater than the TPA of dogs in group 2.
Dogs with CrCL injuries have a significantly greater TPA than dogs without CrCL injury. With further investigation, a normal TPA can be determined. In the future, TPA measurements may be used to screen dogs suspected of being susceptible to CrCL injury.