Abstract

BackgroundFemoral varus deformities complicating the realignment of the quadriceps muscles are frequently associated with medial patellar luxation (MPL) in dogs. Therefore, distal femoral osteotomy (DFO) is recommended in dogs affected with severe MPL and a distal femoral varus deformity. The presence of an anatomic lateral distal femoral angle (aLDFA) of ≥ 102° has been anecdotally recommended as an indication for performing corrective DFO in large-breed dogs. However, the effect of a femoral varus deformity on MPL has not been scientifically evaluated. We aimed to evaluate the influence of a femoral varus deformity on MPL using a finite element method based computer model.Three-dimensionally reconstructed computed tomographic images of a normal femur from a Beagle dog were deformed using meshing software to create distal varus deformities. A total of thirteen aLDFAs, including 95°, 98° and 100°–110°, were simulated. The patellar positions and reaction force between the patella and trochlear grooves were calculated for all finite element models under constant rectus femoris muscle activation.ResultsThe patella was displaced medially from the trochlear groove at an aLDFA of ≥103°. With an aLDFA of 103° to 110°, the reaction force was equal to zero and then decreased to negative values during the simulation, while other models with aLDFAs of 95°, 98°, and 100°-102° had positive reaction force values. The patella began to luxate at 24.90 seconds (sec) with an aLDFA of 103°, 19.80 sec with an aLDFA of 104°, 21.40 sec with an aLDFA of 105°, 20.10 sec with an aLDFA of 106°, 18.60 sec with an aLDFA of 107°, 15.30 sec with an aLDFA of 108°, 16.60 sec with an aLDFA of 109°, and 11.90 sec with an aLDFA of 110°.ConclusionSevere distal femoral varus with an aLDFA of ≥103° caused MPL when other anatomical factors were controlled. Thissimplified computer model provides complementary information to anecdotal cutoffs for DFO, hence it should be applied to clinical patients with caution.

Highlights

  • Femoral varus deformities complicating the realignment of the quadriceps muscles are frequently associated with medial patellar luxation (MPL) in dogs

  • It has been suggested that coxa vara and a small anteversion angle are the underlying causes of MPL, as they lead to the medial displacement of the quadriceps femoris muscle, which results in skeletal deformities such as distal femoral varus, femoral torsion, a shallow trochlear groove, the medial displacement of the tibial tuberosity, and internal rotation of the tibia

  • When the Anatomic lateral distal femoral angles (aLDFAs) was equal to or less than 102°, the patella was located in the femoral trochlear groove during the simulation

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Summary

Introduction

Femoral varus deformities complicating the realignment of the quadriceps muscles are frequently associated with medial patellar luxation (MPL) in dogs. It has been suggested that coxa vara and a small anteversion angle are the underlying causes of MPL, as they lead to the medial displacement of the quadriceps femoris muscle, which results in skeletal deformities such as distal femoral varus, femoral torsion, a shallow trochlear groove, the medial displacement of the tibial tuberosity, and internal rotation of the tibia. These anatomical abnormalities of the pelvic limb have been reported as important risk factors for the malalignment of the quadriceps mechanism [1,2,3,4]. It has been reported that grade 4 MPL in dogs is frequently associated with severe distal femoral varus deformities, thereby complicating the realignment of the quadriceps mechanism [8,9,10]

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