No abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate prospectively the outcome of 21 clinical patients treated with triple pelvic osteotomies during the year following surgery. Specific aims included documenting the time of and extent of improved limb function as measured by force plate analysis, evaluating the progression of degenerative joint disease (DJD) in the treated and untreated coxofemoral joints, and determining whether or not triple pelvic osteotomy resulted in degenerative joint changes in the ipsilateral stifle and hock. Twelve dogs were treated unilaterally and nine dogs were treated bilaterally with triple pelvic osteotomies. There were no differences in mean anteversion angles, angles of inclination, or preoperative DJD between treated hips and untreated hips. Degenerative joint disease progressed significantly in all hips regardless of treatment. Two cases developed hyperextension of their hocks after the triple pelvic osteotomies. However, no radiographic evidence of DJD was observed for any of the stifles or hocks at any observation time. A significant increase in vertical peak force (VPF) scores was noted for treated legs by two-to-three months after surgery, which continued over time. Untreated legs did not show a significant change in VPF scores over time. No differences were found in progression to higher scores when unilaterally treated legs, first-side treated legs, and second-side treated legs were compared.

Two hundred seventeen cortical bones were harvested cleanly and prepared for banking for 2 months by using one of three types of packing materials, two ethylene oxide (EO) concentrations and procedures, and two storage temperatures. Bone subjected to the various treatments was compared to freshly harvested cortical bone and bone tested immediately after sterilization. Parameters evaluated were handling characteristics during preparation for and placement of a 3.5 mm cortex screw, and the percentage of weight lost as water when the bones were dried in an oven at 100 degrees C for 72 hours. Methods of sterilization, packaging material, and temperature of storage affected the handling characteristics and dehydration of the bone specimens. Twelve per cent EO at an elevated temperature and pressure, paper packaging, and room temperature storage appeared to cause the most significant changes. The use of 84% EO at room temperature and pressure, polyethylene wrapping material, and storage at -20 degrees C appeared to protect bone from dehydration. There was an increase in cracking and splitting of the bones as the percent of water loss decreased (indicating dehydration at the time of testing). Dehydration due to sterilization and storage processes may lead to difficulty in preparing bone for insertion of a bone screw and subsequently jeopardizing the stability of a repair in which such alloimplants are used.