Quantitative Radiographic Measurement of Stifle Effusion-Synovitis as a Predictor for Cruciate and Meniscal Disease in Dogs

Introduction: Cruciate and meniscal diseases are common causes of stifle joint pain, impaired athletic performance, osteoarthritis, and pelvic limb lameness in dogs. A quantitative radiographic method for predicting the likelihood of cruciate and/or meniscal disease would be helpful for clinical decision making in affected dogs. However, published studies describing such methods are currently limited.

Materials and Methods: Sixty stifles with confirmed cruciate and/or meniscal injury by arthroscopy or arthrotomy were included in the study. Stifles were assigned to one of three groups: partial cruciate tear (A), complete cruciate tear (B), or complete cruciate tear with concurrent meniscal injury (C). Quantitative measurements were performed on preoperative mediolateral radiographic projections to evaluate the percentage of effusion-synovitis in two regions of interest, the percentage of cranial fat pad compression and radiographic osteoarthritis.

Results: A significant difference in percentage of fat pad compression was observed between groups A and B (p = 0.0111), as well as between groups A and C (p = 0.0003). Stifles in group C had significantly greater caudal joint effusion synovitis (p = 0.0005) than group B. One hundred percent of stifles with fat pad compression >75% had a complete cruciate tear. One hundred percent of stifles with fat pad compression <50% had partial tears. Eighty-six percent of stifles with a caudal effusion-synovitis >70% had a meniscal injury.

Discussion/Conclusion: The authors describe a quantitative radiographic method for measuring effusion synovitis in dogs with cruciate and/or meniscal injury and believe this to be an effective tool in predicting the likelihood of cruciate and/or meniscal disease.

Acknowledgment: No interest or funding provided for this project.