Stance and weight distribution after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in forelimb and hind limb amputee dogs

Ron Ben-Amotz,Andréia Gonçalves Arruda,Denis Marcellin-Little,David Levine,David Dycus,Nicholas Fagan

doi:10.1186/s12917-020-02402-7

Abstract

BackgroundLittle is known about the weight distribution to the remaining limbs for amputee dogs that undergo orthopedic surgery.The objective of the paper was to describe stance and weight distribution after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) in forelimb and in hind limb amputees (AmpTPLO) and to compare them to four-legged TPLO patients (4LTPLO) and amputees without TPLO (Amp). Weight bearing distribution at a stance was compared between groups. Joint angles of forelimb and hind limb joints in a sagittal plane, hind limb orientation in a frontal plane, and pelvic orientation in a transverse plane (pelvic tilt) were measured and compared between groups.ResultsJoint angles, hind limb abduction, and pelvic tilt of AmpTPLO and Amp did not differ statistically. Mean weight bearing in the operated hind limb was higher for AmpTPLO than 4LTPLO. Mean weight bearing for thoracic limbs of AmpTPLO and 4LTPLO did not differ statistically. Weight bearing of the hind limb of AmpTPLO and Amp did not differ statistically.ConclusionsThe position of the center of mass and posture of AmpTPLO and Amp does not differ. The weight distribution and posture of Amp is not impacted negatively by TPLO.

Highlights

Little is known about the weight distribution to the remaining limbs for amputee dogs that undergo orthopedic surgery
While recovery after thoracic limb or hind limb amputation is satisfactory in most instances the posture and mobility of amputee dogs vary widely [1,2,3]
Twenty-eight dogs were enrolled in the study: seven Amputees undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) (AmpTPLO), 10 amputees without TPLO (Amp), and 11 Four-legged dogs undergoing TPLO (4LTPLO)

Summary

Introduction

Little is known about the weight distribution to the remaining limbs for amputee dogs that undergo orthopedic surgery. The objective of the paper was to describe stance and weight distribution after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) in forelimb and in hind limb amputees (AmpTPLO) and to compare them to four-legged TPLO patients (4LTPLO) and amputees without TPLO (Amp). Weight bearing distribution at a stance was compared between groups. The loss of a limb results in an increase in the ground reaction forces and contact times of the remaining limbs. These increases in ground reaction forces and contact.

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Methods

Results

Conclusion