Rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament is a common orthopedic condition in dogs treated by several different surgical techniques. Stenosis of the intercondylar notch following transection of the cranial cruciate ligament has been studied in dogs (AIKEN et al, 1995, FITCH et al, 1995, LA PRADE et al, 1998) but the effects of intercondylar notchplasty (IN) following intra-articular stabilization of the stifle has not been described.

We determined the effects of IN prior to intra-articular stifle stabilization in dogs. Macroscopic and radiographic indexes for intercondylar notch width and notch height were evaluated in 18 stifle joints, where 9 joints comprised the control group (CG) and 9 joints were submitted to IN. Dogs were evaluated radiographically prior to surgery and at days 1, 30, 90 and 180 postoperatively. Data were analyzed by means of ANOVA for repeated measures followed by an appropriate post-hoc test.

Following IN, notch width indexes were significantly greater, both radiographic and macroscopically, when compared to CG at any given time. Stifles in GC presented a progressive decrease in notch width indexes; however this was not statistically significant when compared to baseline values. In the stifles undergoing IN, a decrease in notch width index was observed over time from day 1 through 180, however mean values were significantly greater at any time in comparison to preoperative values. Notch height indexes did not vary over time in any group.

It is concluded that IN caused an increase in notch width indexes following intra-articular fascial repair, although stenosis of the intercondylar fossa was not observed in the control group, which suggests that stability might be responsible for prevention of stenosis in the cranial cruciate ligament-deficient stifle.

References

1.  Aiken, S. W., et al. Intercondylar notch width in dogs with and without cranial cruciate ligament injuries. Vet Comp Orthop Traum, v. 8, p. 128-132, 1995.

2.  La Prade, R. F., et al. The effects of aggressive notchplasty on the normal knee in dogs. Am J Sport Med, v. 26, n. 2, p. 193-200, 1998.

3. Fitch, R. B., et al. The effect of intercondylar notchplasty on the normal canine stifle. Vet Surg, Santa Barbara, v. 24, p. 156-164, 1995.