Synovitis in Dogs with Stable Stifle Joints and Incipient Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture: A Cross‐Sectional Study

Abstract

Synovitis is an early feature of the CrCLR arthropathy in dogs before development of joint instability clinically. Severity of synovitis is correlated with radiographic arthritis in joints with minimal to no clinically detectable CrCL damage.

Arthroscopic Follow-Up After Rupture of the Cranial Cruciateligament

“…According to Lipowitz et al (1985) and Lewis et al (1987), the CrCL section is accepted as the best model for the experimental induction of degenerative lesions. This result was observed in this study, with the additional advantage of direct visualization and magnification of image by arthroscopy, which allowed the evaluation of joint instability, as already reported by others (Lipowitz et al, 1985;Johnson & Johnson, 1993;Glyde et al, 2002;Hulse et al, 2010;Bleedorn et al, 2011). According to Arnoczcky & Marshall (1977), the degenerative process begins one week after CrCL rupture; thus, the articular evaluation on Day 21 is able to identify macroscopic lesions precociously, as observed in this study.…”

“…In CrCL rupture, arthroscopy offers more than a precise diagnosis of the affection, it allows evaluation through magnified visualization of degenerative alterations of the joint such as fibrillation, cartilage erosion, synovial membrane proliferation, and neovascularization, osteophytes formation, besides detecting lesions in the menisci (Siemering & Eilert, 1986;Adamiak, 2002;Borges, 2006;Case et al, 2008;Goldhammer et al, 2010;Hulse et al, 2010;Bleedorn et al, 2011. Arthroscopy in dogs, initially employed for diagnostic purpose, has become a surgical alternative to many articular affections (Rochat, 2001) and has revolutionized the treatment of joint disease in human beings and animals . The magnifying of the structures allows the surgeon to recognize and treat lesions that could not be distinguished through arthrotomy (Van Ryssen & Van Bree, 1998;Sams, 2000;Borges, 2006;Hulse et al, 2010;Bleedorn et al, 2011 ).…”

Radiographic Risk Factors for Contralateral Rupture in Dogs with Unilateral Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture

“…Complete cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CR) is an important cause of stifle instability and associated pelvic limb lameness in dogs in which fiber damage to the caudal cruciate ligament is also common [1], [2]. Each year, at least one billion dollars are spent in the United States on treatment of CR and associated meniscal tearing [3].…”

“…A current hypothesis relevant to the CR disease mechanism is that stifle joint inflammation precedes development of stifle instability from CR. Development of synovitis is an early event in the incipient phase of the condition that precedes development of clinically detectable joint instability, based on arthoscopic examination of the stifle [2]. Development of stifle synovitis also increases the risk of subsequent contralateral CR in dogs [13].…”

“…Radiographic signs of OA are often present in clinically stable contralateral stifle joints at the time of diagnosis [2], [12], [14], [15], but underestimate severity of synovitis [2]. It has been recognized for some time that radiographic signs of contralateral stifle joint degeneration in dogs with unilateral CR influence risk of contralateral CR [6], [9].…”