Abstract
Objective
The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between displaceable
meniscal tears of the medial meniscus, such as bucket handle tears and flap tears,
and articular cartilage wear of the medial femoral condyle.
Methods
Articular cartilage was scored at the time of arthroscopy and tibial plateau leveling
osteotomy as normal, mild, moderately, or severely damaged based on the modified Outerbridge
classification system. Dogs with complete cranial cruciate ligament rupture were included;
there were 245 stifles in total and 116 had a concurrent displaceable meniscal tear
consisting of 115 bucket handle tears and 1 flap tear. Stifles were classified as
either having no/mild or moderate/severe cartilage wear. The frequency of moderate/severe
wear was compared between stifles with normal menisci and stifles with displaceable
meniscal tears using a Fisher's exact test.
Results
Stifles with displaceable meniscal tears had a significantly higher frequency of moderate/severe
cartilage wear of the medial femoral condyle in comparison to stifles with normal
menisci (p = 0.009).
Clinical Significance
These findings suggest that dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture and concurrent
bucket handle tears may increase the risk of moderate to severe cartilage injury to
the medial femoral condyle.
Keywords
cartilage - canine - arthroscopy - cranial cruciate ligament - meniscus
