Stabilization of the CORA based leveling osteotomy for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament injury using a bone plate augmented with a headless compression screw.

OBJECTIVE

To report the effectiveness of a bone plate/headless compression screw (HCS) construct in preventing tibial plateau angle (TPA) shift postoperatively and to describe radiographic healing of the osteotomy.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series.

ANIMALS

Dogs (n = 31).

METHODS

Records of dogs diagnosed with cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injury treated with the center of rotation of angulation (CORA) based leveling osteotomy (CBLO) stabilized with a bone plate augmented with a HCS were reviewed. Breed, age, weight, and gender were recorded. Radiographs were reviewed for determination of preoperative tibial plateau angle (PreTPA), postoperative TPA (PostTPA), patellar tendon angle (PTA) postoperatively, and TPA at final evaluation (FinalTPA). Difference between PostTPA and FinalTPA was used to define any TPA shift. Radiographic healing at final evaluation was graded based on a 5-point scale.

RESULTS

Mean time to final recheck was 88 days (range 49-237 days) with mean ± SD PreTPA = 28.6 ± 4.8°; PostTPA = 9.2 ± 2.2°; FinalTPA = 9.7 ± 2.6°; and TPA Shift = 0.52 ± 1.61°. There was no significant difference between PostTPA and FinalTPA (P = .084, power > 0.80). Mean postoperative PTA was 89.9 ± 1.7°. There were 2 implant related complications; 1 HCS migration and 1 HCS failure.

CONCLUSION

Stabilization of the CBLO using a bone plate augmented with a HCS was effective in maintaining PostTPA and achieving satisfactory radiographic healing.