Response to treatment with grapiprant as part of a standard multimodal regimen in young dogs with appendicular joint osteoarthritis associated pain.

Introduction: The response to medical management of young dogs with osteoarthritis (OA) associated pain has not been evaluated. Using an open-label design, the effectiveness, over a 4-month period, of standardized management (grapiprant/fish oil/exercise) for treating OA pain in young dogs was evaluated.

Methods: Included dogs were 9 months-4 years of age; ≥3.

Prevalence of radiographic appendicular osteoarthritis and associated clinical signs in young dogs.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) and associated clinical signs in young dogs. Owners of dogs aged 8 months-4 years from a single practice, were contacted in random order, to participate in a general health screen. Clinical and orthopedic examinations were performed.

Real-Time Feedback to Enhance the Teaching of Wire Tying.

Teaching the art of wire tying is difficult because the instructor is not able to gauge the effectiveness of the final product. The impact of an incorrect technique is usually not evident. Also, the instructor does not have a way to demonstrate the different levels of tension generated by different wire knotting techniques, nor their differing abilities to resist a load that a patient may apply.

A systematic review of oncological outcomes after nipple-sparing mastectomy for breast cancer.

Nipple-sparing mastectomy is an alternative to skin-sparing mastectomy in select patients. Increasing evidence supports its use in the setting of breast cancer, however concerns still exist regarding oncological safety. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate long-term oncological outcomes of patients who underwent nipple-sparing mastectomy for breast cancer.

Double-loop cerclage resists greater loads for more cycles than twist and single-loop cerclage.

Objective: To compare the mechanical performance of cerclage secured with twist, single-loop, and double-loop knots subjected to cyclic loading.

Study Design: In vitro biomechanical study.

Sample Population: Twist, single-loop and double-loop cerclage configurations of 1.

Defining the rate of, and factors influencing, radiographic progression of osteoarthritis of the canine hip joint.

Background: This study aimed to define the rate of progression of radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) of the canine hip joint and to describe factors affecting this progression.

Methods: Dogs that underwent unilateral total hip replacement (THR) were reviewed for the evaluation of radiographic appearance of the non-operated hip joint over time. Standard extended ventrodorsal hip radiographs were taken preoperatively and postoperatively.

Use of Top Hat Audience Response Software in a Third-Year Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Course.

Audience response devices are useful tools that can improve student engagement and learning during instructional sessions. The purpose of this article is to describe our experience with a new cloud-based application known as Top Hat, which includes audience response tools in its application suite. The software was used in a multi-specialty, multi-instructor medicine and surgery course in the third year of a veterinary curriculum.

Influence of wire configuration on resistance to fragment distraction of tension bands placed in a greater trochanteric osteotomy model.

Objective: To determine the influence of wiring configurations on initial tension and resistance to tensile loads in tension band constructs without the contributions of Kirschner-wire stabilization.

Study Design: Experimental study.

Sample Population: A solid brass femur model manufactured on the basis of computed tomography of a normal right femur of a 30-kg dog modified by transection of the greater trochanter and placement of two pins that did not cross the simulated osteotomy.

Biomechanics of Fracture Fixation.

This article reviews the biomechanical parameters of fracture repair that influence construct stiffness and strength. The stiffness influences the relative motion between fracture fragments, known as gap strain, and, thus, callus development. Construct strength determines the magnitude and number of load events that the repair can resist before failure.

Influence of Radiographic Positioning on Canine Sacroiliac and Lumbosacral Angle Measurements.

Objectives:  To evaluate the influence of radiographic malpositioning on canine sacroiliac and lumbosacral inclination angles.

Methods:  Using canine cadavers, lateral pelvic radiographs were acquired with the radiographic beam in a neutral position and then rotated 5, 10 and 15° to mimic rotational malpositioning. The focal point of the beam was then focused over the abdomen and again over mid-diaphysis of the femur to mimic an abdominal or femoral radiographic study.

Repeatability and accuracy testing of a weight distribution platform and comparison to a pressure sensitive walkway to assess static weight distribution.

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy and repeatability of measurements collected using a weight distribution platform and a pressure sensitive walkway using an inanimate object with known weight distribution.

Methods: A custom-built jig with a range of weights was applied in a random order. Measurements were collected on both devices and compared to each other and to the known weight distribution.

Biomechanical evaluation of adjunctive cerclage wire fixation for the prevention of periprosthetic femur fractures using cementless press-fit total hip replacement.

Periprosthetic femoral fractures are a common complication associated with cementless press-fit total hip arthroplasty. The use of prophylactic cerclage wire fixation has been advocated to reduce this complication. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether a double loop cerclage wire, used as adjunctive fixation, increased the peak torsional load to failure in femora implanted with press-fit cementless stems.

Assessment of an implant-skin interface scoring system for external skeletal fixation of dogs.

OBJECTIVE To assess intraobserver repeatability and interobserver and in vivo versus photographic agreement of a scoring system for the implant-skin interface (ISI) of external skeletal fixation (ESF). SAMPLE 42 photographs of ISIs from 18 dogs for interobserver agreement and intraobserver repeatability and 27 photographs of ISIs from 6 dogs for in vivo versus photograph agreement. PROCEDURES An ISI inflammation scoring system was developed.

Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy Plate Contouring and Proximal Load Screw Angulation Affect Osteotomy Compression.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of contouring a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) plate, the associated angulation of the dynamic compression plate (DCP) hole relative to the long axis of the tibia, and angulation of the screw relative to the DCP hole on the osteotomy compression generated by load screws in a TPLO model.

Study Design: In vitro biomechanical study.

Study Population: Polyoxymethylene (POM) rod and synthetic cortical bone substitute model (n = 9).

In vitro biomechanical evaluation of internal fixation techniques on the canine lumbosacral junction.

Few biomechanical studies have evaluated the effect of internal stabilization techniques after decompressive surgery on the stability of the canine lumbosacral junction. The purpose of this canine cadaver study is to evaluate the stability of the canine lumbosacral (LS) spine in flexion and extension following laminectomy and discectomy and then stabilization with each of the three techniques: pins and polymethylmethacrylate (P/PMMA), two dorsal locking plates (SOP) or bilateral transarticular facet screws (FACET).Using a cantilever biomechanical system, bending moments were applied to the LS and range of motion (ROM) was recorded via a rotational potentiometer.