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Treatment of Dogs Diagnosed with Medial Shoulder Instability Using Radiofrequency‐Induced Thermal Capsulorrhaphy
Author(s) -
Cook James L.,
Tomlinson James L.,
Fox Derek B.,
Kenter Keith,
Cook Cristi R.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
veterinary surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1532-950X
pISSN - 0161-3499
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-950x.2005.00071.x
Subject(s) - medicine , shoulders , palpation , orthopedic surgery , lameness , surgery , clinical significance , retrospective cohort study , physical examination
Objective— To report clinical findings and outcome in dogs diagnosed with medial shoulder instability (MSI) treated with radiofrequency‐induced thermal capsulorrhaphy (RITC). Study Design— Retrospective study. Animals— Dogs (n=43) with MSI. Methods— Medical records from consecutive cases with MSI based on orthopedic examination, palpation of shoulder abduction angles, and arthroscopic findings were used to determine clinical findings and long‐term (≥1 year) outcome of RITC. Results— Forty‐three dogs met the criteria for inclusion; 2 dogs had bilateral MSI. The most common clinical findings were chronic unilateral weight‐bearing lameness, large (>45°) shoulder abduction angles, and spinatus muscle atrophy in the affected limb. Mean preoperative abduction angle (50.7°±4.8°) in affected shoulders was significantly larger than in the unaffected shoulders (32.5°±2.1°). Mean postoperative abduction angle in affected shoulders was not significantly different from unaffected shoulders when measured immediately, 8, 16–20 weeks, and ∼1 year after surgery. Follow‐up evaluation ranged from 1 to 6.2 years. RITC treatment resulted in improved clinical function in 40 cases (93%) with 34 cases (79%) considered excellent; 3 cases (7%) were considered failures. Conclusions— RITC was a safe and effective method of treatment of MSI in most dogs studied. Clinical Relevance— RITC can be considered as a viable option for surgical treatment of selected cases of MSI in dogs.