Summary
Objective: To evaluate the effect of medial meniscal release (MMR) and medial, caudal pole hemimeniscectomy
(MCH) on pressure distribution in the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) deficient canine
stifle, and with tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO). Animals: Twelve adult dogs. Methods: In experiment one, six pairs of cadaveric canine stifles with an intact CCL were
axially loaded with a servo-hydraulic material testing machine and pressure distributions
were mapped and quantified using pressure sensitive films. Axial loading of each joint
was then repeated following MMR, and again after MCH. In experiment two, six pairs
of cadaveric canine stifles with or without TPLO were tested before and after CCL
transection, and each MMR and MCH procedure using the same methods of experiment 1.
Results: In experiment one, MMR and MCH had significant effects on the pressure distribution
resulting in a 2.5-fold increase in the percentage of surface area with pressure higher
than 10 MPa. In experiment two, CCL transection resulted in a significant change in
pressure distribution only in the stifle without TPLO (P<0.05). Both MMR and MCH resulted
in a 1.7-fold increase in the percentage of area with peak pressure in the stifle
with TPLO (P<0.05). Conclusions: Meniscal surgery results in a change in pressure distribution and magnitude within
the medial compartment of the stifle. Clinical relevance: Compromised function of
the meniscus by either MMR or MCH result in stress concentration which may predispose
to osteoarthritis.
Keywords
Canine - cruciate ligament - eniscus - release - load transmission