Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2019; 32(S 04): A13-A24
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1692276
Podium Abstracts
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Gastrocnemius Muscle-Tendon Unit Tension Affects Cranial Tibial Translation

M. Maynard
1   University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States
,
A.S. Kapatkin
2   Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States
,
T.C. Garcia
1   University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States
,
O. Winson
3   Solano-Napa Pet Emergency Clinic, Fairfield, California, United States
,
S.M. Stover
4   School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
07 August 2019 (online)

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    Introduction: Cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) deficiency is a leading cause of canine lameness. The circumstances that promote CrCL injury remain largely unknown. We hypothesized that gastrocnemius muscle-tendon unit (GMT) tension induced by tarsal flexion plays a role in generating cranial tibial translation (CTT) in the CrCL-deficient stifle.

    Materials and Methods: The effects of stifle and hock angles on CrCL length, CTT, and GMT length in intact and CrCL-deficient cadaveric canine pelvic limbs (n = 10) were measured by tracking fiduciary markers in the attachments of the CrCL and GMT during in vitro loading (20% body weight) of limb specimens at 3 stifle and 3 tarsal angles. Repeated measures ANOVA assessed the effects of CrCL condition (intact, cut), limb load (unloaded, loaded), and stifle flexion (80, 100, and 120°), tarsal flexion (90, 110, and 130°) angles on CrCL length, CTT, and GMT length.

    Results: Mean CrCL length was longer in loaded CrCL-deficient limbs only in combined tarsal flexion and stifle extension (p = 0.018). Tarsal flexion had a large effect on GMT length, particularly in combination with stifle extension (p < 0.001). CTT was greater with stifle extension (p < 0.001), and with tarsal flexion (p < 0.001).

    Discussion/Conclusion: The data support the hypothesis that CrCL-deficient canine stifles exhibit greater CTT due to GMT tension induced by tarsal flexion. Whole limb biomechanics should be considered in approaches to treatment of CrCL disruption.

    Acknowledgment: Center for Companion Animal Health, Students Training in Advanced Research, and Veterinary Student Scholars Program, Morris Animal Foundation. There are no conflicts of interest.


     

    No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).