Measurement of Bone Mineral Content to Facilitate an Objective Evalution of Limp Function in the Dog

E. Svalastoga; M. M. Petersen; A. Wenck; Henriette Strøm

doi:10.1055/s-0038-1633132

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Table of Contents

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1994; 07(03): 118-123
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1633132

Original Research

Schattauer GmbH

Measurement of Bone Mineral Content to Facilitate an Objective Evalution of Limp Function in the Dog

A Feasibility Study Using Dual Photon Absorptiometry

E. Svalastoga

¹From the Department of Clinical Studies, Small Animal Hospital, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark, and the Denmark

,

M. M. Petersen

²From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery U, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

,

A. Wenck

¹From the Department of Clinical Studies, Small Animal Hospital, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark, and the Denmark

,

Henriette Strøm

¹From the Department of Clinical Studies, Small Animal Hospital, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark, and the Denmark

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Summary

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using measurements of bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) by dual photon absorptiometry (DPA; Gadolinium-153), as an objective measure of limb functional status in the dog. The in vitro accuracy error expressed as the standard error of the estimate (SEE) for BMC and BMD measurements was 3.2% and 1.1% respectively, and the precision in vivo for measurements of BMC and BMD in the distal diaphysis of the tibia and fibula was 2.1% and 1.9% respectively. A significant difference in bone mineral between right and left leg was not found in normal dogs, and in these dogs the average percentage intra-individual difference, between bone mineral in the legs with the highest bone density and the legs with the lowest density, was 2.2% and 3.7% for BMC and BMD respectively. However the BMC and BMD in eight clinical cases of unilateral lameness were significantly decreased in the affected legs, when compared to the healthy contralateral legs, by 20.4% (P = 0.01) and 18.3% (P = 0.01)respectively. Measurements of BMC and BMD by DP A in weight-bearing extremities in the dog showed that bone mineral is highly sensitive to decreased loading of the extremity. This method might well be used not only as an objective measure of limb activity, but also for measurement of prospective changes in bone mineral, following treatment of musculoskeletal diseases and injuries.

The feasibility of using bone mineral measurements by dual photon absorptiometry, as an objective measure of limb functional status in the dog, was evaluated. Precision and accuracy were calculated from in vitro and in vivo studies. In eight cases of unilateral lameness bone mineral was significantly decreased (20%) in the affected legs when compared to the healthy contralateral legs.

Keywords

Bone dendity - dual photon absorptiometry - dogs lameness

Full Text

References

References
1 Uhthoff HK, Jaworski ZFG. Bone loss in response to long-term immobilisation. J Bone Joint Surg (Br) 1978; 60: 420-9.
2 Margulies JY, Simkin A, Leichter I. et al. Effect of intense physical activity on the bone mineral content in the lower limbs of young adults. J Bone Joint Surg (Am) 1986; 68: 1090-3.
3 Lanyon LE. Functional strain as a determinant for bone remodeling. Calcif Tissue Int 1984; 36: 56-61.
4 Petersen MM, Olsen C, Lauritzen JB, Lund B. Changes in bone mineral content in the proximal tibia following ankle fracture. Eur J Exp Musculoskel Res 1992; 1: 77-80.
5 Uliviere FM, Bossi E, Azzoni R. et al. Quantification by dual photon absorptiometry of local bone loss after fracture. Clin Orthop 1990; 250: 291-6.
6 Andersson SM, Nilsson BE. Changes in bone mineral content following tibia shaft fractures. Clin Orthop 1979; 144: 226-9.
7 Petersen MM, Olsen C, Lauritzen JB, Lund B. Bone mineral content assessed by dual photon absorptiometry in the proximal tibia: normative data and measurements in orthopaedic conditions. Eur J Exp Musculoskel Res 1993; 2: 121-6.
8 Kannus P, Sievanen H. Jarvinen et al. A cruciate injury produces considerable permanent osteoporosis in the affected knee. J Bone Miner Res 1992; 7: 1429-34.
9 Petersen MM, Olsen C, Lauritzen JB. et al. Bone remodeling in the proximal tibia following medial meniscectomy. Submitted for publication.
10 Odgaard A, Pedersen CM, Bentzen SM. et al. Density changes in the proximal tibia after medial meniscectomy. J Orthop Res 1989; 7: 744-53.
11 Sziics J, Jonson R, Granhed H, Hansson T. Accuracy, precision, and homogeneity effects in the determination of the bone mineral content with dual photon absorptiometry in the heel bone. Bone 1992; 13: 179-83.
12 Bohr H, Schaadt O. Bone mineral content of the femoral neck and shaft: relation between cortical and trabecular bone. Calcif Tissue Int 1985; 37: 340-4.
13 Krølner B, Pors Nielsen S, Lund B. et al. Measurement of bone mineral content (BMC) of the lumbar spine, II. Correlation between forearm BMC and lumbar spine BMC. Scand J Clin Lab Invest 1980; 40: 665-70.
14 Mazess RB, Wahner HM. Nuclear medicine and densitometry. In: Osteoporosis: Etiology, Diagnosis and Management. Riggs BL, Melton III LJ. (eds). New York: Raven Press; 1988: 251-95.
15 Krølner B, Pors Nielsen S. Measurement of bone mineral content (BMC) of the lumbar spine, I. Theory and application of a new two-dimensional dual photon attenuation method. Scand J Clin Lab Invest 1980; 40: 653-63.
16 Wilson CR, Madsen M. Dichromatic absorptiometry of vertebral bone mineral content. Invest Radiol 1977; 12: 180-4.
17 Gliier CG, Stiger P, Selvidge R. et al. Comparative assessment of dual-photon absorptiometry and dual-energy radiography. Radiology 1991; 174: 223-8.
18 Finsen W, Anda S. Accuracy of visually esti-mated bone mineralization in routine radio-graphs of the lower extremity. Skeletal Radiol 1988; 17: 270-5.