# A Retrospective Study on Patellar Desmopathy Following Surgical Resolution of Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture in 28 Dogs

## TL;DR

This study found that most dogs develop patellar desmopathy after TPLO surgery for knee ligament rupture, with thickening most severe in the distal ligament region.

## Contribution

The study reports a high prevalence of patellar desmopathy after TPLO and suggests TPLO causes greater ligament thickening than other surgical techniques.

## Key findings

- 86.7% of dogs developed patellar desmopathy within 2.5 months post-TPLO.
- Ligament thickening was most pronounced in the distal region (5.98 mm on average).
- Findings suggest TPLO may lead to greater ligament thickening compared to TTA or MMT.

## Abstract

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture is one of the most common orthopedic issues in dogs, often causing pain, limping, and instability in the knee joint. Surgical procedures are usually required to restore stability. A common complication following these surgeries is patellar desmopathy, which can cause additional discomfort and affect postsurgical recovery. This study aimed to determine how often this complication occurs after TPLO and whether factors such as age, weight, or sex of the dog influence the likelihood of this complication. We found that desmopathy affected most dogs within two and a half months after surgery, especially in the distal part of the ligament. Our findings suggest that TPLO may lead to more ligament thickening than other methods. These results can help veterinarians make informed decisions about treatment options and highlight the importance of monitoring ligament health during recovery to ensure a better outcome regarding mobility and comfort.

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture is the most common orthopedic condition in dogs, causing lameness, joint instability, and discomfort due to its role in knee stability. Surgical treatment, particularly osteotomies in the proximal tibia, is the preferred approach, with tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA), tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO), and the modified Maquet technique (MMT) being widely used. A common postoperative complication is patellar desmopathy—thickening of the ligament that is detectable on radiographs and can cause further discomfort. However, studies on this complication in TPLO are limited, and there are no direct comparisons of ligament thickening between these surgical techniques. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ligament desmopathy in TPLO, examine any associations with age, sex, or weight, and compare findings with those from other techniques. A retrospective analysis was conducted, with ligament thickness measured at three points during postoperative follow-up, which had a mean of approximately 2.5 months. Results showed an 86.7% prevalence of desmopathy, with average thicknesses of 3.90 mm proximally, 4.69 mm at mid-ligament, and 5.98 mm distally. These findings align with previous TPLO studies and suggest that TPLO may cause greater ligament thickening than TTA or MMT, particularly in the distal portion.