Proximal tibial epiphysiodesis in a growing dog

Abstract

The aim of this communication was to evaluate the effectiveness of the locking screw and cauterizing the growth plate of the tibial plateau as a preventive method of cranial cruciate ligament rupture. One stifle joint of a young dog was randomly chosen for placing a screw in order to block the tibial plateau growth line. A 3.5 mm × 20 mm cancellous bone screw in the dorsocranial surface of the tibial plateau of the left hindlimb. Two months after the first surgical intervention, the contralateral limb was cauterized in the tibial plateau growth line. Electrocauterization was performed with a spatula electrode set at 60 watts, performing ablation on the cranial third of the tibial plateau physis with access to the medial and lateral surfaces of the proximal tibia. The electrode was placed against the physis for 10 seconds at each site. Both members were followed radiographically to measure the tibial plateau angle and observed the angle reduction. After 30 and 60 days post-surgery, the tibial plateau angle in left hindlimb decreased to 11° and -4°, respectively. However, the decreased tibial plateau angle was tight and the screw was removed from the bone. However, even with the proximal tibial physis still open, withdrawing the screw did not alter the tibial plateau angle, which remained at -4° until the animal reached adulthood. The right left hindlimb was used as a control until the dog was 6 months old, and the tibial plateau angle exhibited a 26° angle. The electrocauterization technique of the tibial plateau angle decreased to 18° and 16° at 30 and 60 days after surgery, respectively, and remained at this last value until the animal completed its growth.