Common conditions of the stifle joint Flashcards
Which bones make up the stifle joint?
Femur
Patellar
Tibial and fibula
Fabellae
Same some of the soft tissue structures at the level of the stifle joint
Cranial cruciate ligament
Caudal cruciate ligament
Medial and lateral collateral ligaments
Medial and lateral meniscus
Patellar ligament
Long digital extensor
Where is useful for a fluid tap in the stifle
Joint capsule
– needle in either side of the patellar ligament
Which test is used to assess for cruciate ligament tear/damage?
Cranial draw
‘toe touching’ on a clinical exam can indicate which disease?
Cruciate ligament
How can conditions of the stifle be diagnosed?
History and clinical signs:
- Which limb? Can you localise where?
- Does the pateint need to be triaged?
Radiography
Arthrocentesis
Scintigraphy
Ultrasound
MRI
Describe how to correctly radiograph the stifle - which views?
Two views (CrCd and ML) of both stifles
Others- stressed and skyline, flex/ext, include tibia
ML- most useful and don’t forget trochlear ridges!
Also TPLO and TTA views
How could you tell if there was effusion of the stifle?
Displacement/change of shape of the fat pad on the cranial aspect of the stifle
Name 3 developmental conditions of the stifle
Osteochondrosis
Growth disturbances e.g genu valgum
Patella luxation
Name 4 acquired conditions of the stifle
Cruciate disease
Osteoarthritis
Immune-mediated arthritis
Neoplasia
Name 3 traumatic conditions of the stifle joint
- Fractures
- Ruptured ligaments (CCL, CaCL, Patella, Collaterals and multiple)
- Avulsions (Long digital extensor tendon, gastrocnemius, tibial tuberosity)
What is the most common cause of hindlimb lameness in the dog?
Damage to the cranial cruciate ligament
What is the function of the cranial cruciate ligament?
Important role in stifle joint stability (craniocaudal and internal/external rotation)
- Runs from the caudal aspect of the lateral condyle in the dog to the cranio-medial aspect of the tibia
- Prevents the joint from rotating and hyperextending
Describe how the cranial cruciate ligament is made up of two bands
Macroscopically CCLs are comprised of functional bands: Cranial(cr) and Caudal (cd)
Describe the functions of the cranial and caudal bands of the cranial cruciate ligament and how this is important if there is damage to the ligament
- Craniomedial band is taught in flexion and extension
- Caudolateral band is taught in extension only
- If there is a partial tear of the cranial cruciate ligament the craniomedial band will always go first – caudolateral band is still left so the limb will be taught in extension (when you do the cranial draw) and in flexion there is a cranial draw
If there is a complete tear there will be a cranial draw in flexion and extension
Describe the possible aetiologies of cranial cruciate ligament disease
- Trauma (least common)
- “Disease” or degeneration in older dogs (+ minor trauma) or in predisposed breeds e.g. Labrador Retriever, Terrier breeds
- Young large breed dogs e.g Great Dane, Bull Mastiff
- Increased collagen metabolism in CCLs of predisposed dog breeds
- Increased joint laxity
- Narrowed Intercondylar notches
- Sloping angle of tibial plateau
- Immune mediated disease