Canine Medial Femoral Condylar Cartilage Damage in Association with Medial Meniscal Tears: A Multi-Institutional Retrospective Case Series

This multi-institutional retrospective case series describes arthroscopic findings from 10 dogs with concurrent cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) and medial meniscal tears, in which severe focal articular cartilage pathology was identified on the medial femoral condyle (MFC). Medical records from the three participating institutions from 2023 to 2024 were reviewed retrospectively to identify dogs with the arthroscopic findings described above and complete medical records including finalized operative reports and arthroscopic images. Outerbridge scores of cartilage damage were retrieved from operative reports. Ten dogs with 11 affected stifles were included in this study. All stifle joints had a complete CCLR, medial meniscal tear, and focal grade III and IV cartilage lesions, limited to the MFC. We theorize a previously undescribed primary mechanical process, whereby the displaced medial meniscal tear caused the unipolar medial compartment disease identified on the MFC of these patients. Contrary to previous studies, these cases suggest an association between medial meniscal pathology and articular cartilage damage in the dog. An association between meniscal tears and compartment disease would emphasize the importance of evaluating the stifle joint during surgical repair of CCLR. Rapid diagnosis and management may therefore limit the amount of cartilage damage. These data support the pursuit of further studies to elucidate the association and significance of these lesions with patient outcomes and the need for thorough intra-articular stifle inspection prior to surgical treatment for stifle instability.

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank Sophia Ramirez for her assistance in compiling patient medical records.

Publication History

Article published online:
15 July 2025