Objective
To report clinical application of a tibial plateau leveling and medial opening crescentic osteotomy (TPLMOCO) by a single blade cut to ameliorate lameness in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture (CCLR) and concur- rent tibia vara.
Study design
Case series.
Animals
Bullmastiff-typedogs(n=4;5stifles).
Methods
Dogs were evaluated clinically and radiographically and records retro- spectively reviewed. Pins were driven through both cortices of the proximal and distal tibia and a multidirectional jig attached medially. Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy was performed with torsional realignment of the calcaneo-patellar axis. A rigid connecting bar applied to the pins laterally before distraction of the medial jig allowed medial opening of the osteotomy while maintaining contact on the lat- eral aspect of the osteotomy. A 3.5 mm plate was applied.
Results
Meniscal and articular cartilage pathology was identified in the medial joint compartment in 4 stifles, and in both medial and lateral compartments in 1 stifle. Postoperatively, subjectively assessed lameness resolved in 4/5 limbs and improved in 1 limb. All osteotomies healed uneventfully, with superficial wound infection being the only complication in 1 dog.
Conclusion
TPLMOCO is a potential treatment methodology for dogs with CCLR and tibia vara with or without tibial torsion. Clinical lameness was success- fully ameliorated. Intraoperative assessment and correction of sagittal and rotational malalignment was sufficient to achieve satisfactory clinical outcome in these 4 dogs.
Clinical relevance
TPLMOCO offers a potential treatment option and warrants further investigation for use in selected cases.
