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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2019; 32(03): 207-214
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1685511
Original Research
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Spatial Subchondral Bone Density Reflecting Joint Loading of the Talus in Different Canidae

Walter B. Dingemanse   #
1   Kennel & Paddock Veterinary Rehabilitation and Hydrotherapy, James Lane, Grazeley Green, Berkshire, United Kingdom
,
Ingrid M. L. V. Gielen   #
2   Department of Radiology and Radiation Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
3   Department of Medical Imaging of Domestic Animals and Orthopedics of Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
,
Henri J. J. van Bree
4   VetMedImage, Erondegem, Belgium
,
Magdalena Müller-Gerbl
5   Department of Biomedicine, Institute of Anatomy, Basel University, Basel, Switzerland
,
Nikola E. Krstić
2   Department of Radiology and Radiation Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
,
Marko B. Mitrović
2   Department of Radiology and Radiation Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
,
Duško S. Ćirović
6   Department of Animal Ecology and Zoogeography, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Serbia
,
Mirjana V. Lazarević Macanović
2   Department of Radiology and Radiation Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

23 May 2018

27 December 2018

Publication Date:
09 April 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Objective Subchondral bone density distribution can be used to study joint biomechanics non-invasively. Differences in joint loading between related species can aid in the understanding of joint loading and the development of certain types of orthopaedic pathology. This study was conducted to evaluate density distribution in the subchondral bone of the talus of different Canidae species, as a parameter reflecting the long-term joint loading in the tarsocrural joint.

Materials and Methods The tarsal joints of cadaveric dogs of different breeds were included, that is, German Shepherd (n = 5), Bouvier des Flandres (n = 3) and Labrador Retriever (n = 6).

Additionally, golden jackals (n = 5) (Canis aureus) and wolves (n = 5) (Canis lupus) were included. Consecutive computed tomography slices were made and the subchondral bone density distribution was evaluated using computer tomographic osteoabsorptiometry. Different breeds and species were visually compared.

Results Differences were found in the subchondral bone density distribution of the talus between breeds and between species (Canis familiaris, Canis lupus and Canis aureus).

Discussion and Conclusion Based on the density distribution, there are differences in loading conditions of the tarsocrural joint in different species of Canidae. The joint loading distribution is very similar between dogs of the same breed and within the same species. Although between-breed differences can be explained by conformational differences, the between-species differences remain subject to further research.

Keywords

computer tomographic osteoabsorptiometry - subchondral bone density - Canidae - jackal - wolf - computed tomography - dogs - joint biomechanics

Author Contribution

W. Dingemanse and I. Gielen contributed to conception of study, study design, acquisition of data and data analysis and interpretation. H. van Bree contributed to conception of study and study design. M. Muller-Gerbl contributed to study design and acquisition of data. N. Krstić, M. Mitrović and D. Ćirović contributed to acquisition of data. M. Lazarević Macanović contributed to study design and data analysis and interpretation. All authors drafted, revised and approved the accepted manuscript.


# Contributed equally to the study.