Summary
Objective: To define the radiographic origin and insertion of the canine medial glenohumeral
ligament (MGHL) at the scapula and the humerus of dogs as radiographic aim points
for the surgical ligament reconstruction. Material and methods: The forelimbs (n = 20) from 10 adult, orthopaedically unaffected dogs (> 20 kg body
weight) were used. Radiopaque markers (1 mm steel bullet) were placed into the visual
origin and insertion of the MGHL. Finally, virtual digital radiographs were produced
in medio-lateral and cranio-caudal projection and the location of the origin and insertion
points were expressed using four different methods (4x4 grid box method, percentage
position in the grid box for the medio-lateral projection, the percentage position
orientated at different landmarks and the clock-face scale method). Results: The relative positions of the centre of origin and insertion points of the MGHL
were located constantly in radiographs in relation to anatomical landmarks in the
canine shoulder. Therefore the described methods are useful for determination. Conclusion: The radiographic location of the origin and insertion points of the MGHL can be
consistently predicted in radiographs of dogs with a body weight above 20 kg. Clinical significance: The reported data can be used to verify the correct placement of the insertion of
bone anchors for stabilising a medial shoulder instability by ligament reconstruction
in dogs.
Keywords
Medial shoulder instability - bone anchor - shoulder joint - ligament recon struction
