Modification of the cranial closing wedge ostectomy technique for the treatment of canine cruciate disease

A. M. Wallace; E. S. Addison; B. A. Smith; H. Radke; S. J. Hobbs

doi:10.3415/VCOT-10-11-0159

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Table of Contents

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2011; 24(06): 457-462
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-10-11-0159

Original Research

Schattauer GmbH

Modification of the cranial closing wedge ostectomy technique for the treatment of canine cruciate disease

Description and comparison with standard technique

A. M. Wallace

¹Langford Veterinary Services, School of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, North Somerset, United Kingdom

,

E. S. Addison

²Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

,

B. A. Smith

³Brisbane Veterinary Specialist Centre, Albany Creek, QLD, Australia

,

H. Radke

⁴Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom

,

S. J. Hobbs

⁴Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Summary

Objective: To describe a modification of the cranial closing wedge ostectomy (CCWO) technique and to compare its efficacy to the standard technique on cadaveric specimens.

Methods: The standard and modified CCWO technique were applied to eight pairs of cadaveric tibiae. The following parameters were compared following the ostectomy: degrees of plateau levelling achieved (degrees), tibial long axis shift (degrees), reduction in tibial length (mm), area of bone wedge removed (cm²), and the area of proximal fragment (cm²).

Results: The size of the removed wedge of bone and the reduction in tibial length were significantly less with the modified CCWO technique.

Clinical significance: The modified CCWO has two main advantages. Firstly a smaller wedge is removed, allowing a greater preservation of bone stock in the proximal tibia, which is advantageous for implant placement. Secondly, the tibia is shortened to a lesser degree, which might reduce the risk of recurvatum, fibular fracture and patella desmitis. These factors are particularly propitious for the application of this technique to Terrier breeds with excessive tibial plateau angle, where large angular corrections are required. The modified CCWO is equally effective for plateau levelling and results in an equivalent tibial long-axis shift. A disadvantage with the modified technique is that not all of the cross sectional area of the distal fragment contributes to load sharing at the osteotomy.

Keywords

Modified - cranial closing wedge - ostectomy - excessive tibial plateau angle - Terrier breed dogs

Full Text

References

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