Prevalence and Risk Factors for Bilateral Meniscal Tears Identified during Treatment for Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease Via Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy in Dogs.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to report the prevalence and risk factors of bilateral meniscal tears during a tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO).

Methods:  Data from 362 dogs that underwent staged or simultaneous TPLO between January 2006 and April 2019 were retrospectively collected. Variables such as breed, sex, weight change and intervals between surgeries were analysed with logistic regression. Preoperative tibial plateau angle, age, cranial cruciate ligament status and body weight were analysed with a generalized linear mixed model. All analyses were performed to assess the likelihood of bilateral meniscal tears versus unilateral tears and no tears. Correlation of meniscal tears between stifles was assessed with Cohen's kappa coefficient.

Results:  Prevalence of bilateral meniscal tears was 48.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 43.0-53.0%). There was moderate agreement of the presence of meniscal tears between stifles (Cohen's kappa coefficient = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.31-0.51).The odds for bilateral meniscal tears were higher for Rottweilers (odds ratio [OR:] 4.5 [95% CI 1.1-30.3],  = 0.033), older dogs (OR: 1.2 [95% CI: 1.1-1.4 per year],  < 0.0001), smaller dogs (OR: 0.98 [95% CI: 0.97-0.99 per 0.45-kg],  = 0.001), stifles with complete cranial cruciate ligament tears (OR: 21.1 [95% CI: 7.1-62.4],  < 0.0001).

Conclusion:  Contralateral meniscal tears, breed, older age, lower patient weight and complete cranial cruciate ligament tear were significant risk factors for bilateral meniscal tears. Surgeons can use these results to determine prognoses and propensities for meniscal tears in at-risk dogs.