Case Study

ORTHO – Cranial cruciate (CCL) rupture, medial meniscal injury and degenerative joint disease (DJD) in a 6 year old MN Belgian Shepherd

This 6 year old MN Belgian Shepherd dog has a history of intermittent lameness of over 1 year duration. Worsens with exercise. Decreased muscle mass right hind. Positive cranial drawer sign and CTT, moderate medial buttress sign.

Evaluate right stifle prior to TTA stabilization

DX

The findings of the right stifle joint are compatible with moderate to severe generalized chronic degenerative joint disease (DJD) with marked synovialitis as well as moderate joint effusion, osteophytosis and emerging cartilage breakdown. There findings are compatible with full partial rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament and suggestive for medial meniscal injury (even though a tear cannot be clearly identified) as well as lateral meniscal degeneration

Image Interpretation

Ultrasound of the right stifle –

The supra- and infrapatellar recess of the right stifle joint reveal marked synovial thickening as well as moderate anecho.ic effusion. A large amount of osteophytes is seen at the periarticular margins of the femoropatellar and femorotibial joint. The echogenicity of the cartilage layers has increased towards the periarticular margins. The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) presents as a broad stump of ecogenic fibres at the intercondylar eminence of the tibia. Mild periligamentsou effusion and marked regional sinovial membrane thickening are seen. The infrapatellar fat body presents mild heterogeneity as found commonly in degenerative joint disease (DJD).  The medial meniscus reveals mild surface irregularity and heterogenous echogenicity with hypoechoic foci. The caudal horn of the medial meniscus is not seen. The lateral meniscus is in situ with mild overall heterogeneity