Su-Young Heo

Arthroscopic detection of medial meniscal injury with the use of a joint distractor in small-breed dogs

The goal of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of a joint distractor in arthroscopy in small-breed dogs. Sixty stifle joints, which were collected from thirty cadavers, were used in this study. To simulate different injuries, no medial meniscal tear, a full-thickness vertical longitudinal tear, a partial-thickness vertical longitudinal tear, full- and partial-thickness vertical longitudinal tears, or a peripheral detachment were created on the caudal horn of the medial meniscus of each stifle joint along with rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament. Each stifle joint then underwent arthroscopy with and without a joint distractor. The sensitivity (Sn), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and correct classification rate (CCR) for the diagnosis of each type of medial meniscus pathology were calculated. For arthroscopy with and without a joint distractor, the Sn was 85% and 60%, the Sp was 96% and 92%, the PPV was 85% and 65%, the NPV was 96% and 90%, and the CCR was 94% and 86%, respectively. Arthroscopy is an effective diagnostic method for the assessment of medial meniscal pathologies in small-breed dogs, especially when performed with the aid of a joint distractor.

Total hip replacement in two dogs with unsuccessful femoral head ostectomy.

An English setter (case 1) and a Tibetan mastiff (case 2) presented with intermittent weight-bearing lameness on the right hind limb when trotting. The dogs had a history of femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHNO). Orthopedic examination revealed pain and crepitus on the right hip joint. The dogs underwent total hip replacement (THR). At the 2-year (case 1) and 1-year (case 2) follow-up, both dogs had resumed normal activity without lameness. The muscle mass and range of motion were significantly improved in the affected hind limb. In conclusion, FHNO with poor functional outcomes can be successfully ameliorated with THR.

EFFECT OF XENOGENIC CORTICAL BONE ON FRACTURE HEALING IN A CANINE FRACTURE MODEL

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of xenogenic cortical bone (XCB) on fracture repair in the canine ulna. The entire group of animals (n = 12) had a transverse resection of 5 mm length at the middle part of the right ulnar diaphysis. In Group A (eight beagles), the fracture was treated with XCB and metal bone screw. In Group B (four beagles), the fracture was treated with metal bone plate and screw. Radiological, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), histological examination and mechanical testing were employed to evaluate bone healing and reaction of XCB in the host bone. In Group A, bone union was noticed in 6 out of 8 dogs (75%), starting from the 4th week onwards. Micro-CT and histological examinations showed that the XCB was absorbed and incorporated into the host bone. Incorporation of XCB was observed in 7 cases (88%); it started from the 10th week onwards and continued to week 32 after surgery. Biomechanical strength of the bone fracture site was higher in Group A than in Group B, and was similar to that of normal bone. XCB enhances the bone healing process and can be used as absorbable internal fixation for the management of long bone fractures in dogs.