Summary
Objectives: To establish the effect of tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) on two selected
pelvic limb kinematic variables in dogs treated for clinical cranial cruciate ligament
rupture (CCLR).
Methods: Thirteen dogs that had incurred CCLR and were treated by TPLO walked on a treadmill
whilst kinematic data on pelvic limb paw motion were acquired using motion capture
equipment. Data were subject to secondary processing using matrix analysis software
and statistical analysis.
Results: Pelvic limb stance duration significantly increased during the 12 week study period,
recovering to near-normal values. Range of pelvic limb paw velocity also significantly
increased but did not reach normal values by 12 weeks postoperatively.
Clinical significance: The improvement in stance duration to near normality may aid in explaining the widely-held
subjective impression that TPLO frequently provides an excellent outcome in the early
stages after repair of the cruciate deficient canine stifle joint. Both stance length
and range of paw velocity provide useful objective measures to compare outcome following
surgery for CCLR.
Keywords
Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy - stifle - lameness