Clinical, radiographic, and magnetic resonance imaging findings of gastrocnemius musculotendinopathy in various dog breeds

Abstract

Gastrocnemius musculotendinopathy is a potential cause of chronic hindlimb lameness in medium to large breed dogs. A history of athletic activity must not necessarily be present. Magnetic resonance imaging shows signal changes and uptake of contrast agent in the region of the origin of the gastrocnemius muscle. A combination of T1 pre- and post-contrast administration and T2 weighted sequences completed by a fat-suppressed sequence in the sagittal plane are well-suited for diagnosis. Conservative treatment generally results in return to normal function.

Avulsion of the lateral origin of the gastrocnemius muscle mimicking cranial cruciate ligament deficiency in a dog

“…gastrocnemius tendinopathy 5 and traumatic lateral meniscus damage possibly combined with a lateral collateral ligament injury. 6 A tentative diagnosis of avulsion of the origin of the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle was made.…”

“…A differential diagnosis list of lameness was created as degenerative, anomalous (heritable, congenital), metabolic, neoplastic, inflammatory, infectious, immune mediated and trauma (fracture, ligament rupture or avulsion, and wound) 4 . The list of differential diagnosis for pain on palpation of the lateral side of the stifle was then further narrowed down as follows: the cranial/caudal cruciate ligament rupture, long digital extensor (LDE) luxation/avulsion, avulsion of lateral/medial head of gastrocnemius muscle, trauma to the patellar tendon, fracture, avulsion of the tibial tuberosity, gastrocnemius tendinopathy 5 and traumatic lateral meniscus damage possibly combined with a lateral collateral ligament injury 6 …”

Animal model for tendinopathy

“…The most notable differences are elongated humeral head, deep glenoid, and prominent greater tuberosity [ 187 ]. The supraspinatus tendons are exposed to high loading due to differences in locomotion patterns and are therefore susceptible to tendinopathy [ [188] , [189] , [190] ].…”