Winters Morgan, Griffon Dominique, Long Aleksandra, Morris Zachary, Faulkner Emma, Dong Fanglong, Schaeffer David J
1College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA.
2Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada.
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2025 Apr 16;263(7):871-879. doi: 10.2460/javma.24.08.0516. Print 2025 Jul 1.
To validate goniometric measurements of stifle rotational laxity in dogs in an ex vivo study and determine their reproducibility in a clinical setting.
In phase 1, 16 normal pelvic limbs were harvested from 8 canine cadavers. Goniometric measurements, including tibial torsion (TT) and internal and external rotation of the stifle were compared within limbs and between groups before and after each of the following modifications: transection of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) as a model of rotational hyperlaxity (CCL deficiency [CCLD]), rotational osteotomy as a model of TT, and CCLD+TT. A lateral fabella suture (LFS) was then placed in each limb before measurements were repeated. Phase 2 was a clinical prospective study of 51 awake dogs (102 limbs). Torsion and stifle rotations were measured by 2 investigators, 1 in triplicate. Correlation coefficients were calculated to assess intra- and interinvestigator reproducibility.
In phase 1, internal rotation increased by 10.6 ± 7.2° after CCL transection. Placement of an LFS did not influence TT but decreased internal rotation within limbs. Internal rotation of the stifle was increased in all CCLD limbs (CCLD, 32.6 ± 7.6°; CCLD+TT, 33.0 ± 12.3°) compared to intact limbs (24.4 ± 5.8°) and CCLD limbs repaired with LFS (6.3 ± 5.1°). In phase 2, correlation coefficients within and between investigators were > 0.9 for TT and internal rotation angles of the stifle.
Goniometry allowed the detection of experimentally induced hyperlaxity and was reproducible in awake dogs.
Goniometric assessment of stifle rotation should be considered during routine orthopedic examination.
在一项体外研究中验证犬膝关节旋转松弛度的测角测量方法，并确定其在临床环境中的可重复性。
在第1阶段，从8只犬类尸体上获取16条正常骨盆肢体。在进行以下每种改良前后，比较肢体内部以及组间的测角测量结果，包括胫骨扭转（TT）以及膝关节的内旋和外旋：切断前交叉韧带（CCL）作为旋转过度松弛模型（CCL缺陷[CCLD]）、旋转截骨术作为TT模型以及CCLD+TT。然后在每条肢体上放置外侧豆状骨缝线（LFS），之后重复测量。第2阶段是对51只清醒犬（102条肢体）进行的临床前瞻性研究。由2名研究人员测量扭转和膝关节旋转，其中1名研究人员测量3次。计算相关系数以评估研究人员内部和研究人员之间的可重复性。
在第1阶段，切断CCL后内旋增加了10.6±7.2°。放置LFS不影响TT，但减少了肢体内部的内旋。与完整肢体（24.4±5.8°）和用LFS修复的CCLD肢体（6.3±5.1°）相比，所有CCLD肢体（CCLD，32.6±7.6°；CCLD+TT，33.0±12.3°）的膝关节内旋均增加。在第2阶段，研究人员内部和研究人员之间对于TT以及膝关节内旋角度的相关系数均>0.9。
测角法能够检测实验诱导的过度松弛，并且在清醒犬中具有可重复性。
在常规骨科检查期间应考虑对膝关节旋转进行测角评估。
