Case Study

ORTHO – Emerging degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the left stifle in a 2 year old M Labrador Retriever

This 2 year old intact M Labrador Retriever presented with lameness left hind, no cranial drawer.

Image Interpretation

Ultrasound of the left stifle-

Both the supra- and infrapatellar recess of the left stifle joint contain a minor amount of anechoic effusion. The joint capsule is even and thin. Mild thickening of the synovial lining is noted for the suprapatellar recess as well as for the synovial lining superficial to the cranial cruciate ligament in the infrapatellar region.

The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) presents continuous and with uniform echogenicity except for a small focal protrusion of hypoechoic tissue emerging from the surface of the CCL. The cranial and mid portion of the medial meniscus are in situ with regular echogenicity and outline.

DX

emerging degenerative joint disease

Outcome

The majority of the cranial cruciate ligament appears to be intact, biomechanical
failure is very unlikely at this point. The described changes are suggestive for
emerging rupture or elongation of trace amounts of fibres.
No abnormalities of the medial meniscus were seen.