Osteophyte formation in the canine stifle joint following treatment for rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament.

Abstract

ABSTRACTA clinical and radiological study of osteophyte formation following surgical or conservative treatment for rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (C.C.L.), was carried out in thirty‐eight dogs. Osteophyte formation had occurred in all of the affected stifle joints, in the period between treatment and the re‐examination, irrespective of the method of treatment. In general, the degree of formation was less than that which had occurred before treatment. In the larger and more obese dogs, osteophyte formation was more extensive. The degree of lameness did not appear to be related to the degree of osteophyte formation radiographically evident at re‐examination. No direct correlation could be established between the degree of joint instability, assessed at the re‐examination, the degree of osteophyte formation following treatment, or the function of the limb.