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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2024; 37(06): 286-296
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1788726
Original Research

Randomized, Blinded, Controlled Clinical Trial of Polylactide–Collagen Scaffold in Treatment of Shoulder Osteochondritis Dissecans in Dogs

Helka Heikkilä
1   Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
2   Lahti Veterinary Hospital, IVC Evidensia, Lahti, Finland
,
Vilma Reunanen
1   Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
,
Heli K. Hyytiäinen
1   Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
,
Jouni J.T. Junnila 
3   EstiMates OY, Turku, Finland
,
Outi Laitinen-Vapaavuori
1   Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
,
Pauli Keränen
1   Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
› Author Affiliations
Funding This study was supported by grants from the Finnish Foundation of Veterinary Research, the Finnish Veterinary Foundation, and the Helsinki University Orthopedic Research Unit. Askel Healthcare provided the COPLA scaffolds and paid one-fifth of the study costs.
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Abstract

Objective The aim of our study was to investigate a degradable polylactide–collagen scaffold (COPLA) in the treatment of shoulder osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in dogs.

Study Design The study was a controlled, randomized, blinded clinical trial with a parallel group design with a 1.5-year follow-up. Twenty dogs with uni- or bilateral shoulder OCD (29 shoulders) were randomized to receive a COPLA or arthroscopic debridement only (Control). The outcome of treatment was assessed with gait and stance analysis, passive range of motion measurement, pain and lameness evaluation, Helsinki Chronic Pain Index, and computed tomography (CT).

Results Eighteen dogs (25 shoulders) completed the study. The clinical outcome variables improved significantly from baseline in COPLA and Control groups after treatment but no significant differences emerged between groups. Significantly fewer COPLA than Control shoulders had osteoarthritis (OA) in CT at 6 months (p = 0.019) but the difference was not significant at 1.5 years. At 1.5 years, all dogs were sound and pain-free in joint palpation, but OA was diagnosed in 13/18 dogs (18/25 shoulders) with CT.

Conclusion The results suggest that COPLA scaffold slowed down the development of OA at 6 months but it did not improve the clinical recovery or prevent OA in dogs with shoulder OCD in long-term follow-up at 1.5 years compared with arthroscopic debridement only. Regardless of the treatment method, clinical recovery was good, but OA developed in the majority of dogs.

Keywords

arthroscopy - canine - polylactide–collagen scaffold - osteochondritis dissecans - restorative technique

Authors' Contribution

H.H. contributed to the study design, performed the veterinary evaluations, prepared the manuscript, and was responsible for owner communication and dogs' visits at the hospital. V.R. contributed to the study design, performed the data collection, analysis, and interpretation of results of diagnostic imaging, and contributed to the manuscript. H.K.H. performed the data collection, analysis, and interpretation of results of biomechanical measurements, and contributed to the manuscript. J.J.T.J. performed the statistical analysis, wrote the “Statistical Analysis” section, and provided the figures. O.L-V. contributed to study design, supervised, and contributed to the manuscript. P.K. developed the concept of the study, contributed to the study design, developed, and performed the surgical part of the study, supervised, and contributed to the manuscript.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 09 February 2024

Accepted: 08 July 2024

Article published online:
24 July 2024

© 2024. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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