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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2015; 28(04): 274-281
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-14-05-0075
Clinical Communication
Schattauer GmbH

Distal tibial tuberosity translation using TTA implants for the treatment of patella alta in large breed dogs

Surgical technique and clinical outcome
L. C. Pugliese
1   The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
,
F. S. Pike
2   Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
,
S. W. Aiken
2   Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received:20 May 2014

Accepted:13 March 2015

Publication Date:
28 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Introduction: Medial patellar luxation frequently occurs in dogs resulting in lameness with increasing incidence in large breed dogs. Patella alta has been defined as a patellar ligament length to patellar length ratio that is greater than two and may predispose to patellar luxation.

Objective: To describe the surgical technique for stabilization of the distal translation of the tibial tuberosity using tibial tuberosity advancement plates and the clinical outcomes with follow-up for clinical cases of dogs.

Methods: Dogs that were presented with the complaint of patellar luxation and that were concurrently diagnosed with patella alta and were greater than 20 kg in body weight underwent surgery using a tibial tuberosity advancement plate to stabilize the osteotomy. Radiographic assessment of A:PL distance (the ratio of the proximal aspect of the patella to the femoral condyle [A] to the patellar length [PL]), L:P ratio (ratio of the length of the patellar ligament to the diagonal length of the patella), and owner assessment were obtained.

Results: Eleven stifles in nine dogs underwent surgical correction with a mean preoperative L:P ratio of 2.47. There were no complications and the lameness resolved clinically. The mean A:PL ratios preoperatively (2.6 ± 0.22) and postoperatively (2.1 ± 0.25) were significantly different (p = 0.0003). All owners were satisfied with the outcome and all dogs had a resolution of lameness with no recurrence of patellar luxation.

Clinical significance: Stabilization of distal translation of the tibial tuberosity using tibial tuberosity advancement implants to correct patella alta in large breed dogs was feasible and resulted in good clinical outcome.

Keywords

Patellar luxation - patella alta - tibial tuberosity advancement - TTA - large breed dogs
 

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