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Diagnostic Approach and Treatment of Orthopedic Disease in Dogs and...
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Diagnostic Approach and Treatment of Orthopedic Disease in Dogs and Cats: Second Edition

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Companion Animals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 4942

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Francesco Macrì

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
Interests: surgery; radiology; endoscopy; ultrasonography; CEUS; orthopedics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Marco Tabbì

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 8168 Messina, Italy
Interests: radiology; orthopedic surgery; neurosurgery

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to the Special Issue entitled “Diagnostic Approach and Treatment of Orthopedic Disease in Dogs and Cats: Second Edition”.

Orthopedic disorders in dogs and cats are common and cover a wide range of conditions. Orthopedic surgery consists of invasive and minimally invasive (arthroscopy) surgical procedures that affect the joints and skeletal system, including the spine, soft tissues, muscles, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.

Advanced imaging and diagnostic tools help to provide accurate and effective orthopedic diagnoses, as well as being useful in following-up pathologies post-treatment. There is a wide range of orthopedic conditions that affect cats and dogs. The most common orthopedic conditions are hip and elbow dysplasia, cruciate ligament rupture, patellar luxation, intervertebral disc disease, and the correction of angular deformities.

In this Special Issue, original research articles, such as clinical trials, prospective or retrospective studies, and case reports, as well as reviews, are welcome.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Francesco Macrì
Dr. Marco Tabbì
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • dog
  • cat
  • feline
  • orthopedic disease
  • lameness
  • radiology
  • ultrasound
  • TC
  • MRI
  • CEUS
  • elastography
  • surgery
  • arthroscopy

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1630 KiB  
Article
Comparative Radiographic Analysis of Trochleoplasties for Patellar Luxation Correction: Inter-Observer Agreement of a Modified Osteoarthritis Scoring System
by Nikolaus Velich, Britta Vidoni, Eberhard Ludewig, Alexander Tichy and Eva Schnabl-Feichter
Animals 2025, 15(11), 1639; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15111639 - 3 Jun 2025
Viewed by 621
Abstract
Patellar luxation is common in small breed dogs and is often treated surgically. This study compares the long-term outcomes of two surgical techniques, trochlear wedge recession (TWR) and trochlear block recession (TBR), for medial patellar luxation (MPL) with regard to osteoarthritis (OA) progression. [...] Read more.
Patellar luxation is common in small breed dogs and is often treated surgically. This study compares the long-term outcomes of two surgical techniques, trochlear wedge recession (TWR) and trochlear block recession (TBR), for medial patellar luxation (MPL) with regard to osteoarthritis (OA) progression. High inter-observer agreement was hypothesized for the use of a modified OA scoring system and fewer OA changes in the TBR group. This study included 25 dogs (<15 kg) with grade-2 or -3 MPLs treated at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (2016–2021). A total of 32 stifle joints (TWR Group n = 11, TBR Group n = 21) were evaluated pre-operatively and at least one year post-operatively using a modified OA scoring system. A statistical analysis was conducted to compare OA progression between the techniques. The inter-observer agreement was high. The OA scores increased in both groups post-operatively, with TBR demonstrating a greater progression at specific points. Overall, no significant differences were found between the techniques. These findings suggest that OA progression does not significantly differ between TWR and TBR. The modified OA scoring system has shown to be reliable for assessing OA progression after treatment. Further prospective studies with larger study populations incorporating clinical assessments are needed for a better understanding of the surgical impacts on OA development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Approach and Treatment of Orthopedic Disease in Dogs and Cats: Second Edition)
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18 pages, 1436 KiB  
Article
Cardiovascular Effects of Adding Adrenaline to Arthroscopic Knee Irrigation Fluid in Canine Diagnostic Procedures
by Ana Zapata, Claudio Iván Serra Aguado, José Ignacio Redondo, José Román Soto Muñoz, José Sansano-Maestre and Rocío Fernández-Parra
Animals 2025, 15(11), 1544; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15111544 - 25 May 2025
Viewed by 399
Abstract
Background: Adrenaline is used as a local haemostatic in human arthroscopy, due to its peripheral vasoconstrictive properties, which enhance image quality with minimal cardiovascular side effects. This study aims to evaluate the effects of adrenaline in arthroscopic irrigation fluid and asses its impact [...] Read more.
Background: Adrenaline is used as a local haemostatic in human arthroscopy, due to its peripheral vasoconstrictive properties, which enhance image quality with minimal cardiovascular side effects. This study aims to evaluate the effects of adrenaline in arthroscopic irrigation fluid and asses its impact on image visibility. Methods: A prospective, double-blind, randomised clinical trial was conducted on 20 knees from 18 dogs undergoing diagnostic arthroscopies. Dogs were randomly assigned to two groups: group A (received lactate Ringer (LR) with adrenaline 0.33 mg L−1) and group C (received LR with 0.33 mL of saline solution). Cardiovascular parameters were recorded using a multiparametric monitor, with advanced hemodynamic parameters assessed using the PRAM method (MostCare®) in half of the dogs, and glucose, cortisol, and adrenaline levels were measured at various time points. Hemoglobin concentration was calculated based on the residual fluid and image quality was evaluated by a blinded surgeon using a visual analog scale (VAS). Results: No significant differences between groups in cardiovascular parameters, glucose, cortisol, adrenaline, hemoglobin, or VAS scores; only time differences for cortisol and adrenaline. Conclusions: The use of adrenaline at 0.33 mg L−1 in arthroscopic irrigation fluid does not cause significant cardiovascular changes or improve image quality, confirming it is safe at this concentration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Approach and Treatment of Orthopedic Disease in Dogs and Cats: Second Edition)
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22 pages, 2419 KiB  
Article
Multivariable Analysis of the Association Between Lumbar and Lumbosacral MRI-Diagnosed Spinal Pathologies and Pain in Dogs
by Roger Medina-Serra, Patricia López-Abradelo, Eliseo Belda, Holly Riding-Medina, Francisco G. Laredo, Rachel Marwood, Verónica Mortera and José I. Redondo
Animals 2025, 15(5), 761; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15050761 - 6 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1645
Abstract
Lumbar and lumbosacral pain in dogs often involves multiple concurrent spinal pathologies, complicating the identification of primary pain generators. This study assessed the associations between MRI-diagnosed spinal pathologies and pain to provide clinically relevant insights for their diagnosis and management. MRI scans and [...] Read more.
Lumbar and lumbosacral pain in dogs often involves multiple concurrent spinal pathologies, complicating the identification of primary pain generators. This study assessed the associations between MRI-diagnosed spinal pathologies and pain to provide clinically relevant insights for their diagnosis and management. MRI scans and clinical records of 518 client-owned dogs were retrospectively reviewed, documenting demographic data, pain status, and MRI findings. Multivariable logistic regression models evaluated the associations between spinal pathologies and pain, adjusting for age and weight. The intervertebral disc (IVD) extrusion was the primary pathology associated with lumbar pain, while radiculopathy had the strongest association with lumbosacral pain. Additional lumbosacral pathologies, including foraminal stenosis, IVD bulging, and IVD protrusion, were also significantly associated with pain. However, some dogs with MRI-diagnosed abnormalities showed no pain, whereas others with pain had no detectable MRI pathology, underscoring the need to interpret imaging within the clinical context. Pain responses observed during physical examination often overlapped between spinal and hip conditions, complicating diagnostic accuracy. These findings emphasise the importance of integrating imaging, clinical assessment, and targeted diagnostic techniques to improve pain localisation and treatment decisions, providing veterinarians with valuable data to refine the management of lumbar and lumbosacral pain in dogs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Approach and Treatment of Orthopedic Disease in Dogs and Cats: Second Edition)
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11 pages, 3150 KiB  
Article
Ultrasonographic Ventral Hip Joint Approach and Relationship with Joint Laxity in Estrela Mountain Dogs
by Inês Tomé, Sofia Alves-Pimenta, Bruno Colaço and Mário Ginja
Animals 2025, 15(4), 547; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15040547 - 13 Feb 2025
Viewed by 696
Abstract
Hip dysplasia (HD) is a prevalent disease in medium- to large-breed dogs, characterized by joint laxity and degenerative joint changes. The early diagnosis of HD poses significant challenges, as radiographic imaging often identifies the disease only in advanced stages. Conversely, ultrasonography, a non-invasive [...] Read more.
Hip dysplasia (HD) is a prevalent disease in medium- to large-breed dogs, characterized by joint laxity and degenerative joint changes. The early diagnosis of HD poses significant challenges, as radiographic imaging often identifies the disease only in advanced stages. Conversely, ultrasonography, a non-invasive and cost-effective imaging modality, offers the potential for earlier detection by evaluating the surrounding soft tissues and synovial changes. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the ventral hip ultrasonographic findings, and hip joint laxity evaluated through stress radiographs on 22 young Estrela Mountain dogs (n = 44 hips) aged 4 to 8 months. Key ultrasound measurements included synovial fluid in the cranial femoral neck recess (CFNR) and capsular-synovial fold thickness (CFT). Radiographic laxity was estimated by measuring the distraction index (DI). The median (quartile 25–75%) of the CFNR area, CFT, and DI were 44.00 (27.00–52.25) mm2, 3.10 (2.68–3.55) mm, and 0.38 (0.34–0.40), respectively. The Spearman correlation coefficient was statistically significant between all of these variables (p < 0.05). The ventral ultrasonographic approach to the hip joint revealed potential, considering the early diagnosis of HD in dogs, by showing relationships between changes in periarticular soft tissues and joint laxity. Further studies are needed to associate ultrasonographic findings with radiographic signs of HD and related clinical signs in dogs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Approach and Treatment of Orthopedic Disease in Dogs and Cats: Second Edition)
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10 pages, 3590 KiB  
Communication
Risk of Ulnar Nerve Injury Following Caudo-Medial Arthroscopic Portal Creation in the Canine Elbow—A Cadaveric Study
by Piotr Trębacz, Jan Frymus, Mateusz Pawlik, Anna Barteczko, Aleksandra Kurkowska, Joanna Berczyńska and Michał Czopowicz
Animals 2025, 15(4), 543; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15040543 - 13 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1069
Abstract
The medial approach is a traditional portal during elbow arthroscopy. Some researchers have suggested that the caudo-medial arthroscopic approach allows better visualization of the medial and caudal elbow compartments. Such a portal is created caudally to the medial humeral epicondyle’s caudal aspect in [...] Read more.
The medial approach is a traditional portal during elbow arthroscopy. Some researchers have suggested that the caudo-medial arthroscopic approach allows better visualization of the medial and caudal elbow compartments. Such a portal is created caudally to the medial humeral epicondyle’s caudal aspect in the ulnar nerve’s vicinity. Therefore, we investigated the risk of ulnar nerve injury following the caudo-medial portal placement in 30 canine cadavers. After the telescope was inserted, an incision was made to visualize the nerve, and the distance between the cannula and the nerve was measured. An injury was diagnosed when the telescope at least scratched the nerve. The distance between the arthroscopic cannula and the ulnar nerve ranged from 0 to 8.0 mm (median: 0.5 mm) in 60 joints. Nerve injury occurred in 16/30 dogs (53%; CI 95%: 36%, 70%)—in 11 unilaterally and 5 bilaterally. In addition, in eight dogs, the cannula directly touched the nerve, creating a high risk of trauma. In total, nerve injury or high risk of trauma occurred in 21/30 dogs (70%; CI 95%: 52%, 83%). Ulnar nerve injury during caudo-medial arthroscopic portal creation appears common. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Approach and Treatment of Orthopedic Disease in Dogs and Cats: Second Edition)
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