Owner assessment of the outcome of tibial plateau levelling osteotomy without meniscal evaluation for treatment of naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament rupture: 130 cases (2009 to 2013)

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate long-term surgical outcome and chronic pain in dogs suffering from naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament rupture treated by tibial plateau levelling osteotomy without meniscal evaluation.

Materials and methods: In this retrospective clinical study, data from surgical records of dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture that underwent tibial plateau levelling osteotomy without meniscal evaluation between August 2009 and November 2013 were reviewed. An owner questionnaire was used to evaluate the long-term outcome and the prevalence of chronic pain.

Results: 107 dogs were included in this study. The long-term follow-up ranged from 1 to 4·5 years (mean 2·5 years). Four dogs developed acute lameness 4 to 21 months after surgery after having shown improvement. Dog behavior was assessed to be normal in 93% of cases and the level of activity was estimated to be normal for 88% of cases. Persistent lameness was reported after surgery in 6% of dogs and might have resulted from undiagnosed meniscal lesions.

Clinical significance: Considering the low incidence of persistent lameness after surgery and the limits of diagnosis and treatment, the need for routine meniscal examination during tibial plateau levelling osteotomy is questionable.