Summary
In the dog the correct angles for arthrodesis of limb joints have been published in
the veterinary literature. They can also be obtained by measuring the joint angles
of the contralateral limb from a standing lateral radiograph. This study was undertaken
to determine if increased weight-bearing had a significant effect on joint angles.
Standing lateral radiographs of the foreand hind limbs were taken of dogs standing
on all four legs and then with their contralateral limb elevated. A significant difference
was found between the angles of the metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints
(p ≤ 0.05) when the dog was bearing weight on all four limbs compared to when the
contralateral limb was elevated. Significant differences were not found for the other
joints that were evaluated (shoulder, elbow, antebrachial carpal, stifle tibiotarsal).
Keywords
Arthrodesis - weight bearing - joint angle
