BackgroundCranial cruciate ligament rupture is the most frequent orthopedic disorder in human and animals. An array of surgical techniques have been described to stabilize the stifle joint in dogs, including intraarticular stabilization, extraarticular stabilization, and tibial osteotomy techniques. Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy and tibial tuberosity advancement with a lot of modifications are the most common. In this study we report the possibility of fixing the novel titanium implant for tibial tuberosity advancement with two screws in a craniocaudal direction. The aim of our study was to improve the clinical benefit of the tibial tuberosity advancement surgical technique where an attempt was made to reduce the number of screws and obtain a strong implant fixation with minimal bone traumatization. This way of attachment allows to distribute the forces evenly on medial and lateral side of osteotomy gap.ResultsTibial tuberosity advancement with cranial implant fixation was performed in four sheep. Complete radiographic and clinical follow up was recorded. All four sheep had a complete osteotomy line healing at a mean of 10 weeks postoperative (range 8–12 weeks). None of the animals had osteotomy gap healing grades of poor. Minor complication included the minimally cracked Maquet hole on the postoperative radiographs, without displacement of the tibial crest which occurred in 2 sheep. Major complication grade 1, major complication grade 2 and catastrophic were not found.ConclusionsThe novel surgical technique for tibial tuberosity advancement with cranial implant fixation is technically comparable to the recent trend in tuberosity advancement techniques, where partial osteotomy of the cranial tibial tuberosity crest is performed. A cranial implant fixation allows to distribute the forces evenly on medial and lateral side of osteotomy gap, which may result in less number of major complications in dogs. A novel titanium implant decreases the tibial traumatisation by reducing the number of screws.

In spite of recent advances in treatment protocols, tendinopathies continue to challenge orthopaedists and surgeons. Due to the complexity of both tendon injuries and the healing processes, animal models are essential for addressing fundamental questions in tendinopathy research. Diagnostic imaging could contribute to the evaluation of animal models, thus providing information, which could be translated to human tendinopathies. The objective of our study was to evaluate in situ appearance of the rabbit common calcanean tendon with ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. Additionally, we sought to assess and compare the feasibility and usefulness of these techniques in a rabbit model while focusing on the imaging of the particular structures involved in calcaneal tendon disorders. Eight California rabbits were used for post-mortem sonographic and low-field magnetic resonance examination. Morphometry was performed on longitudinal sonograms and sagittal MRI scans. The craniocaudal diameter of the tendon was measured at four points of interest. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance provided good visualisation of the tendon origin, the paratenon and the pre-Achilles fat pad. Magnetic resonance images presented in more detail the structure of the calcaneal insertion. Both modalities failed to visualise the individual components of the common calcanean tendon and the bursa of the calcaneal tendon. Statistical analysis of measurements obtained showed that the craniocaudal diameter of the common calcanean tendon in a rabbit increases significantly with a growing length from the calcaneal tuber. Both magnetic resonance and ultrasonography are feasible, and should be considered complementary, not alternative imaging techniques in a rabbit common calcanean tendon model.

This study compares the effects of four dilutions of the gadolinium-containing contrast media (1:100; 1:400; 1:800; 1:1,200) administered to the elbow on the quality of magnetic resonance images. All the examined dilutions had a positive effect on image quality, and 1:800 was regarded as the optimal dilution of gadolinium for viewing the elbow because it imparted good contrast to the joint cavity without obliterating the contours of articular surfaces. Transverse, sagittal, and dorsal low-field magnetic resonance images were obtained in 24 canine cadaver front limbs. The musculus biceps brachii, m. triceps brachii, m. extensor carpi radialis, m. flexor carpi ulnaris, the articular surfaces, the medial coronoid process and the anconeal process of the ulna were well visualized by High Resolution Gradient Echo, XBONE T2 and Spin Echo T1 sequences in the sagittal plane. The biceps brachii, pronator teres, flexor carpi radialis, extensor digitorum communis, extensor carpi radialis, deltoid muscle and the articular surface of the medial condyle of the humerus were very well visualized by 3D SST1 and XBONE T2 sequences in the transverse plane. The triceps brachii muscle, extensor digitorum lateralis muscle, superficial digital flexor, deep digital flexor and the medial condyle of the humerus were very well visualized by the Spin Echo T1 sequence in the dorsal plane. This article describes for the first time the use of the gadolinium contrast agent administered to the canine elbow joint during magnetic resonance modality. Magnetic resonance arthrography can be a helpful visualization technique in treating canine soft tissue elbow injury. MRI, contrast agent, gadolinium, dogsMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a method of choice for diagnosing elbow joint disorders in humans. It is one of the recently developed diagnostic techniques (Dalinka et

Background: Modifications of tibial tuberosity advancement are well accepted for cranial cruciate rupture repair. We compared the loads that were needed to pull the TTA CF cage out in the two groups. The first group consisted of five sheep in which osteotomy and TTA CF cage fixation were performed as assumed preoperatively. The second group consisted of five sheep in which intraoperative or postoperative discrepancies from preoperative planning were found. This is also the first report describing biomechanical testing after tibial tuberosity advancement with cranial implant fixation (TTA CF) surgical procedures. Results: A total of 10 ovine proximal tibiae were tested biomechanically by tearing out TTA CF implants from the bone. The mean maximal loaded forces to pull out the cage in Group 1, in which fixation of the implant was performed as assumed preoperatively, was 878 ± 61 N, and in Group 2, in which discrepancies from preoperative planning were found, was 330 ± 55 N. The mean implant displacement under maximal load to failure was 2.6 mm and 2.2 mm in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. There was a significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 in the maximal loads-to-failure; however, the difference in the displacement at maximal loaded forces to pull out the cage was not significant between the groups. Conclusions: The mean maximal loaded forces to pull out the cage was significantly lower in Group 2, where discrepancies from preoperative planning were found (878 ± 61 N vs. 330 ± 55 N). The lower forces that were needed to extract the TTA CF implant from the tibia can lead to the conclusion that biointegration of the implant is also weaker. Correct positioning of the osteotomy line and TTA CF implant is essential for good biointegrity and thus for limiting complications in the form of tibial tuberosity avulsion fracture or tibial shaft fracture.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the paramagnetic gadolinium-containing contrast agent, diluted 1:800, in evaluations of pathological changes in the canine elbow joint. The experiment was performed on 6 large breed dogs of both sexes with a body weight of 25 to 40 kg. Thoracic limb lameness and pain in the elbow joint area were observed in all patients. The animals were subjected to standard physical examinations, radiography and low-field magnetic resonance imaging scans with the use of a contrast agent. The Spin Echo T1 dorsal sequence as well as 3D SST1 transverse and XBONE T1 transverse sequences were highly effective in diagnosing osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the medial humeral condyle. Degenerative changes and the fragmented coronoid process (FCP) of the ulna were very well visualized by High Resolution Gradient Echo, XBONE T2 and Spin Echo T1 sequences in the sagittal plane. The administration of the gadolinium contrast agent, diluted 1:800, to the elbow joint cavity enhances the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance images in evaluations of medial compartment disease, in particular fragmentation of the medial coronoid process.