Arthroscopy observation of pathological changes in the stifle with cranialcruciate ligament rupture in dogs

The ain of this article was to present arthroscopically observed pathologic al cases of dogs having naturally occuring cranial cruciate ligament ruptur es. Arthroscopy examination was carried out on 50 dogs with cranial cruciat e ligament injuries and in atl cases it was arthroscopically confirmed that complete cranial cruciate-ligament rupture had occurred (100%). To additio n, synovitis was discovered in all the dogs. The following synovium changes were examined: hyperemia, hypertrophy, edema, and fibrosis. Periarticular osteophytes. was observed in 44 dogs (88%). Concurrently, 16 of tho dogs (3 2%) had medial meniscus tears. Fragmented its were observed in 18 of the do gs (36%) and chondromalacia-like lesions of the patella in 8 dogs (16%). Fi brillation, fraying, and erosion of the femoral condylar articular cartilag e and associated fibrillation of the dial lateral tibia eminencies were als o noted. In this study, arthroscopy provided an effective means of examinin g the articular cartilage, cruciate ligments meniscus and synovial membrane changes.