INTERCONDYLAR NOTCH WIDTH IN DOGS WITH AND WITHOUT CRANIAL CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURIES

This prospective study evaluated the intercondylar notch width in dogs with naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injuries. Th e intercondylar notch width was measured in 45 stifles with CCL injuri es and 98 normal stifle joints to determine if stifles with CCL injuri es have outlet stenosis of the intercondylar notch. A notch width inde x was calculated in order to compensate for the variety of dog sizes. Stifles with CCL injuries had significantly smaller notch width indice s as compared to normal stifles. We concluded that intercondylar notch plasty should be performed if an intra-articular repair of the CCL def icient stifle is planned in order to minimize impingement of the steno tic intercondylar notch on the intra-articular graft.