A Response to “Osgood-Schlatter Disease in an English Setter”

Abstract

Correspondence to: Dr. Dirsko von Pfeil Veterinary Specialists of Alaska 3330 Fairbanks Street Anchorage 99503, Alaska United States Phone: +1 907 274 0645 E-mail: drvonpfeil.vsoa@ak.net Dear Doctors Stigen and Mikalsen, We appreciate your contribution to the intriguing subject of tibial tuberosity injuries (1). Indeed, the case you saw recently in the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science appears to be very similar to Osgood-Schlatter disease in people. As stated in our publication, at the time of its writing, no case similar to the one you describe was reported in the available veterinary literature (2). We sincerely appreciate you sharing this case with the veterinary community. Based on the provided history of your patient, it is most likely that this dog suffered from a type – III tibial tuberosity avulsion fracture when it was five-months old. Over time, fusion with malunion of the proximally displaced and avulsed tibial tuberosity to the proximal tibia occurred. It is interesting that you state that “The most obvious pain response was provoked by maximally extending the right stifle joint” as with Osgood-Schlatter disease or tibial tuberosity avulsion, pain can usually be localized at the insertion of the patellar ligament, and elicited upon flexion of the knee. It would be interesting to follow this case and, if indicated see if shockwave treatment or resection of the ununited ossicles may help to decrease discomfort. In case of treatment, histopathology of the ossified particles may also provide additional information. Again, thank you for your contribution and helping to increase the knowledge base on tibial tuberosity injuries. Sincerely, Dirsko J. F. von Pfeil1,2; Charles E. DeCamp2; Curtis W. Probst2; Loic M. Dejardin2 1Veterinary Specialists of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska, USA; 2Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, East Lansing, Michigan, USA