Summary
Our study evaluated thigh circumference (TC), stifle range of motion (ROM), and lameness
in dogs one to five years after unilateral tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO).
We hypothesised that TC, stifle ROM, and lameness would not be different to the unoperated
limb (control), one to five years after surgery. Patients that were one to five years
post-TPLO were reviewed and were included if they had a unilateral TPLO, and no additional
clinical evidence of orthopaedic disease. Standing mid-thigh TC measurements and stifle
extension and flexion angles were made in triplicate. Clinical lameness was graded
blindly. Data were evaluated statistically using paired t-tests for TC and stifle
flexion and extension. Significance was set at p <0.05. Twenty-nine dogs met the inclusion
criteria. Mean results for the surgery limbs and control limbs were 39.5 ± 5.5 cm
and 40.1 ± 5.6 cm for TC, 36.6 ± 6.8° and 28.6 ± 4.3° for stifle flexion, and 155.2
± 6.6° and 159.8 ± 4.9° for stifle extension, respectively. The mean TC for the operated
limb was 98.5% of the control limb. A significant difference was found between the
operated and the control limbs for all measurements. Time after surgery had no apparent
affect on outcome. Four of 29 dogs (14%) exhibited some lameness in the TLPO limb
during evaluation (one dog was 1 to 2 years postoperative and three dogs were 2 to
3 years postoperative). These results indicate that TC and stifle ROM in the TLPO
limb do not return to control-limb measurements one to five years after a TPLO surgery.
The clinical significance is unknown as TC returned to 98.5% of control, and the source
of lameness in the lame dogs was not identified.
Keywords
TPLO - thigh circumference - cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency - stifle range
of motion
