[Resection of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee using arthroscopy induces arthrosis in dogs. Validity of the Pond-Nuki model].

Introduction And Goal: The dog model of osteoarthritis is the one most used for the study of the pathophysiology of this disease, given its resemblance to human osteoarthritis. Although the percutaneous section of the ligament is the most known technique, variability of and iatrogenic lesions might occur. The goal of this study was to validate the arthroscopic technique regarding the osteaorthritic lesions found in the percutaneous Pond-Nuki dog model.

Methods: The arthroscopic section of the canine anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was compared to the percutaneous technique. Six dogs were operated percutaneously (Group I) and another six by arthroscopy (Group II). At eight weeks, animals were sacrificed and analysis were done on the osteophytes (mm) and cartilage lesions [macroscopy (Pelletier scale: grade 0-4, and size, mm2)] and [microscopy (Mankin scale: 0-14)] on femoral condyles and tibial plateaus.

Results: Osteophytes (Group I: 3.4 mm, Group II: 4.4 mm) and cartilage lesions (grade: 2.07 and 1.67; size: 27.9 and 33.9 m, respectively) on both femoral condyles and tibial plateaus are similar and not statistically different. Total microscopic scoring for both groups (6.2 and 6.5, respectively) are also similar and not statistically significant.

Discussion: Experimental osteoarthritis induced by arthroscopic transection of the ACL in dogs is characterised by macroscopic and microscopic lesions that resemble those found after percutaneous stab transection. Arthroscopic technique is more reliable and the present results allow its validation regarding the classical percutaneous technique.