Anatomy and biomechanics of the posterolateral aspect of the canine knee

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the anatomy and characterize the biomechanics of the posterolateral aspect of the canine knee. Ten adult canine knees were each used for anatomy and biomechanical testing. Distances and motion limits were measured using a 6 degree-of-freedom electromagnetic tracking system. Canine knee dissection reproducibly identified structures present in the human posterolateral knee. The course and attachment sites of the fibular collateral ligament, popliteofibular ligament, and popliteus tendon were similar to human anatomy. Sequential sectioning of the fibular collateral ligament, popliteofibular ligament, and popliteus tendon all significantly increased varus translation at full extension, 60 degrees , and 90 degrees of knee flexion. Sectioning of the fibular collateral ligament significantly increased external rotation at flexion angles near full extension, while popliteus tendon sectioning also significantly increased external rotation at 90 degrees of knee flexion. Based on the fact that the anatomy of the fibular collateral ligament, popliteus tendon, popliteofibular ligament, and the biomechanical properties of the canine posterolateral knee are similar to the human knee, we believe the canine knee is a suitable model to study the natural history of posterolateral knee injuries. The canine model will also prove valuable in the validation of reconstruction techniques and studying the potential development of medial compartment osteoarthritis following posterolateral knee injuries.

Improving outcomes for posterolateral knee injuries

“…Unfortunately, due to the small size of the rabbit and a fused tibiofibular joint in the goat, these were unsuccessful models for study of this injury pattern. Ultimately, the canine knee was chosen for an animal model, and the bony and soft tissue anatomy was studied in detail . First, we verified that the canine knee had an articulating tibiofibular joint, the lateral tibial plateau was convex in shape, and that the canine posterolateral structures were similar to the human knee (Fig.…”

Evolution of the patellar sesamoid bone in mammals

“…Biomechanical studies of primates (Lovejoy, 2007; Pina et al, 2014) and domesticated mammalian species (e.g. dogs Griffith et al, 2007; Kaiser et al, 2001, sheep Bertollo, Pelletier & Walsh, 2012, 2013, horses Schuurman, Kersten & Weijs, 2003; Wentink, 1978) have contributed some knowledge of how the patella functions in these groups, or in individual species, but a general “functional synthesis” for the patella is still lacking.…”

The fibular collateral ligament of the knee

“…Anatomic studies on animal knees have been performed to better understand the posterolateral aspect of the human knee. Qualitative and quantitative measurements of the anatomy and biomechanics of this region have been studied in rabbits (Crum et al, ; LaPrade et al, ; LaPrade et al, ), goats (LaPrade et al, ), and more recently, canine knees (Griffith et al, ). Overall, structures of the FCL in rabbits, goats, and canines resemble the human FCL (Crum et al, ; LaPrade et al, ; Griffith et al, ).…”

“…Qualitative and quantitative measurements of the anatomy and biomechanics of this region have been studied in rabbits (Crum et al, ; LaPrade et al, ; LaPrade et al, ), goats (LaPrade et al, ), and more recently, canine knees (Griffith et al, ). Overall, structures of the FCL in rabbits, goats, and canines resemble the human FCL (Crum et al, ; LaPrade et al, ; Griffith et al, ). The course and the attachment site of the FCL are very similar between these animals and humans: the femoral attachment is posterior and proximal to the lateral epicondyle (Terry and LaPrade, ; Crum et al, ; LaPrade et al, ; Griffith et al, ).…”

“…Overall, structures of the FCL in rabbits, goats, and canines resemble the human FCL (Crum et al, ; LaPrade et al, ; Griffith et al, ). The course and the attachment site of the FCL are very similar between these animals and humans: the femoral attachment is posterior and proximal to the lateral epicondyle (Terry and LaPrade, ; Crum et al, ; LaPrade et al, ; Griffith et al, ). In addition, a biomechanical study on canine knees has shown that the FCL acts as the primary restraint to varus rotation at all flexion angles (Griffith et al, ), which has also been shown in human knees (Grood et al, ; Nielsen et al, ; Gollehon et al, ; Grood et al, ; Markolf et al, ; LaPrade et al, ; Meister et al, ; Surgita and Amis, 2001; LaPrade et al, ; Ciccone et al, ; Espregueira‐Mendes and da Silva, ; LaPrade, ; Coobs et al, ).…”