Case Study

RAD – chronic degenerative joint disease (DJD) of both stifles with cranial cruciate rupture in a 5 year old FS Labrador Retriever dog

This 5 year old FS Labrador Retriever dog presented with refusal to jump up on anything of one month duration. Owner believe right hind leg may be more affected.

Physical exam: BCS7.5/9; slight lameness right hind; cranial drawer elicited on flexion.

This 5 year old FS Labrador Retriever dog presented with refusal to jump up on anything of one month duration. Owner believe right hind leg may be more affected.

Physical exam: BCS7.5/9; slight lameness right hind; cranial drawer elicited on flexion.

Image Interpretation

Rads of the stifles, pelvis and lumbar spine- Right stifle joint:
There is a moderately increased articular soft tissue opacity. A moderate amount of
periarticular osteophytes is present. Moderate cranial subluxation of the tibia with
respect to the femoral condyles is noted as a consequence of biomechanical instability.
The popliteal sesamoid bone reveals mild distal displacement which is an indirect
radiographic sign of cranial cruciate ligament pathology.
The tarsal joint is included in the view and is within normal limits.
Left stifle joint:
There is a mildly increased articular soft tissue opacity. A mild amount of periarticular
osteophytes is present.
The tarsal joint is included in the view and is within normal limits.
Pelvis/coxofemoral joints:
Mild generalized atrophy of the right thigh musculature is noted. Both coxofemoral
joints are within normal limits. The percentage of femoral head coverage is as
expected. The joints paces are even and narrow. There is no evidence of dysplasia,
laxity or osteoarthritis.
Lumbar spine:
Within normal limits.

DX

chronic degenerative joint disease of both stifles with likely partial or complete rupture on the right

Outcome

The radiographic findings are suggestive for chronic degenerative joint disease of both
stifles, which is moderate on the right and mild in degree on the left side.
The right stifle reveals evidence of cranial cruciate ligament pathology with
biomechanical failure.
The findings are compatible with a complete rupture (or partial rupture with
elongation) of the cranial cruciate ligament.
Moreover moderate joint effusion/synovial thickening and moderate osteoarthritis is
present.
Mild disuse atrophy is noted for the right hind limb musculature.
The left stifle is affected by mild joint effusion/synovial thickening and mild
osteoarthritis. The radiographic findings do not support complete biomechanical failure
of the left cranial cruciate ligament at this point. But gradual loss of stability is likely
to develop with progression of the DJD.
The hip joints do not show radiographic abnormalities.