Case Study

ORTHO – Degenerative joint disease and edema of the right cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) in a 6 year old FS dog

This 6 year old dog presented with left hind lameness

DX

The ultrasonographic examination of the right stifle joint is compatible with mild chronic generalized degenerative joint disease with synovialitis and emerging osteoarthritis. Moreover a generalized edema of the CCL is noted

Image Interpretation

Ultrasound of the stifles –

Right:

The suprapatellar recess presents mild thickening of the synovial lining with mild anechoic effusion. A moderate amount of anechoic effusion and moderate synovial thickening are noted within the infrapatellar recess of the stifle joint.Emerging periarticular osteophytes are noted at the medial aspect of the femorotibial joint. The infrapatellar fat pad presents mild heterogeneity with a solitary anechoic cyst. The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is continuous with even outline and regular echo pattern. Compared with the left side moderate generalized volume increase of the CCL is noted though

Left:

Emerging periarticular osteophytes are noted at the medial aspect of the femorotibial joint.

Outcome

Degeneration of the CCL is likely. The changes are unlinkely to be of clinical significance at present. However, progressive degeneration has to be expected. There is no evidence of meniscal pathology at this point.
The ultrasonographic examination of the left stifle joint shows no evidence of cruciate ligament or meniscal pathology.
Emerging degenerative joint disease (DJD) with emerging osteophytosis is noted.