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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2007; 20(01): 24-28
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1616583
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

A novel radiographic method to facilitate measurement of the tibial plateau angle in dogs

A prospective clinical study
J. Headrick
1   University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
,
J. Cook
2   Comparative Orthopaedic Laboratory, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
,
M. Helphrey
3   Tampa Bay Veterinary Specialists, Largo, Florida, USA
,
D. Crouch
4   Western Carolina Veterinary Surgery, Arden, North Carolina, USA
,
D. Fox
2   Comparative Orthopaedic Laboratory, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
,
L. Schultz
5   Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
,
C. Cook
2   Comparative Orthopaedic Laboratory, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
,
J. Kunkel
5   Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 25 January 2006

Accepted 15 March 2006

Publication Date:
21 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

The tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) is commonly performed for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament deficiency in dogs. In order to be performed as described, this procedure relies on consistent measurement of the tibial plateau angle (TPA) on radiographs. This prospective study compared two radiographic methods for subsequent TPA measurement with respect to measured angle and ease of determining landmarks for measurement as determined by four observers. One method was the accepted standard radiographic protocol outlined in the TPLO training seminars. The other method involved a novel split image radiographic protocol not yet described in the literature. Participants' subjective scores as to ease of identifying landmarks and determining TPA on radiographs for each method were evaluated. Inter-observer TPA measurement variability was also assessed for each method. The novel radiographic method was judged to be significantly better in terms of ease of measuring TPA. Inter-observer measurement variability was considered appropriate for recommending use of this novel method for radiographing patients for TPA measurements.

Keywords

TPA - TPLO - radiographic methods - canine
 

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