Correlation between the tibial plateau angle and occurrence of medial meniscal tears in dogs with complete cranial cruciate ligament rupture

ObjectiveTo determine whether there is a correlation between the degree of the tibial plateau angle (TPA) and the incidence of medial meniscal tear (MMT) in dogs with complete cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture observed at the time of arthrotomy.Methods144 dogs met the inclusion criteria for this study with 88 (61.11%) found to have a MMT. Breed, age, sex, weight, affected limb, duration of lameness, and the integrity of contralateral stifle were recorded. Six groups were established based on TPA ranges measured in degrees.ResultsThere was a one-fourth reduction in the number of MMT observed in dogs with a TPA between 35 to 37 degrees and an almost two-fold reduction in the number of MMT in dogs with a TPA greater than 38 degrees. There was a 6 times greater risk of MMT in those with acute lameness in comparison to those with a chronic lameness.ConclusionA relationship was found to exist between MMT and TPA with a lower prevalence of MMT in dogs with an excessive TPA. Chronic lameness was also associated with a lower prevalence of MMT regardless of TPA degree. In dogs with complete CCL tears, excessive TPA and chronic lameness were found to be statistically significant in relation to fewer MMT.