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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1992; 05(03): 114-121
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1633080
Clinical Communication
Schattauer GmbH

Osteochondral Fragmentation (Osteochondrosis) of the Canine Patella

Clinical, Radiographic, Tomographic, and Pathological Findings and Surgical Treatment
P. M. Shealy
1   Department of Small Animal Surgery and Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Alabama, USA
,
J. L. Milton
1   Department of Small Animal Surgery and Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Alabama, USA
,
S. A. Kincaid
2   Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Alabama, USA
,
J. T. Hathcock
3   Department of Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Alabama, USA
,
T. R. Boosinger
4   Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Alabama, USA
,
R. T. Pernell
1   Department of Small Animal Surgery and Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Alabama, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received for publication: 08 April 1991

Publication Date:
06 February 2018 (online)

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Summary

Three four-month-old female grey-hound siblings with osteochondral fragmentation of the lateral aspect of the patella are presented. One dog was affected unilaterally and two bilaterally. The dogs exhibited mild weight-bearing lameness, slight flexion of the stifle, and discomfort during full flexion and extension of affected stifles. A non-palpable, mild synovial effusion was cytologically consistent with chronic inflammation and compatible with osteochondrosis and degenerative joint disease. The hallmark clinical sign was a characteristic prominence of the patella. Cranioproximalcraniodistal oblique (skyline) radio-graphs and transverse CT scans revealed osteochondral fragments and defects of the patella. The osteochondral fragments were surgically excised in two dogs and one dog was necropsied. The osteochondral fragments and patellae were evaluated histologically. Macroscopic and microscopic features of the osteochondral tissues were characteristic of osteochondrosis.

Osteochondrosis of the patella was diagnosed in three sibling Greyhounds. The hallmark clinical sign was enlargement and prominence of the patella. Radiographic examination, cranioproximal-craniodistal oblique view, demonstrated the fragmented lateral border of the patella. Findings from computed tomography and histopathological examination are described. Surgical excision of the fragment in two dogs restored satisfactory function.

Keywords

Canine patella - osteochondral fragmentation - osteochondrosis
 

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