Factors related to the risk of meniscal injury in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture

Risk factors for damage of the medial meniscus in 160 cranial cruciate deficient stifles in 138 dogs have been evaluated. The medial meniscal damage was found in a total of 72 patients (45%) with CCL rupture. The risk of damage to the meniscus was significantly higher in dogs of 25-45 ka compared to those weighing less than 24 kg. Cases of more severe grades of arthritis and joint effusion were significantly more often accompanied by the medial meniscal damage. Severe osteoarthritis of grade 3, as compared to the grade 1, was considerably frequently (p < 0.01) associated with the medial meniscal lesion. The meniscal damage was most commonly accompanied by moderately Severe stifle joint effusion. The medial joint cavity collapse was a very important radiographic sign expressing the, medial meniscal damage (p < 0.01). Its sensitivity and specifity in the diagnostics of the medial meniscal damage is 52% and 71%, respectively. Duration of lameness, extent of the CCL rupture (partial versus total) and radiographically measured index of the stifle joint laxity do not belong to statistically significant risk factors of the medial meniscal damage.