Determination of the Stifle Angle at Standing Position in Dogs

The cranial cruciate ligament rupture is one of the most common orthopaedic
diseases encountered in dogs. Surgical techniques have been developed to stabilize the stifle, with an overall accepted benefit of tibial osteotomies, among which is the tibial tuberosity advancement. Prior to surgery, the required tibial tuberosity advancement must be determined on a strict lateral radiographical view of the affected stifle with femur and tibia at an angle of 135  as initially recommended. We sought to determine if this particular stifle angle around mid-stance phase was similar among multiple dog breeds. A mean value of stifle angle of 145  was obtained. Mean stifle angle at mid-stance phase in a healthy dog is regularly higher than 135  and is likely breed and individual dependent. The pre-operative measurement of the required advancement made on stifles in 145  extension, a value close to full physiological extension, could contribute to decreasing the incidence of late post-operative meniscal lesion, consecutive to the underestimation of the tibial tuberosity advancement.