Parâmetros radiográficos e ultrassonográficos no diagnóstico da insuficiência do ligamento cruzado cranial em cães: revisão sistemática

Abstract

The cranial cruciate ligament is part of the knee joint and is responsible for promoting stability of the pelvic limb by preventing the tibia from moving cranially and medially in relation to the femur. Insufficiency of the cranial cruciate ligament is one of the main joint conditions that affect dogs and leads to the application of epidemiological studies seeking to understand the predispositions for involvement. According to current data, it is established more frequently in large and heavy pets, due to the overload of the insertion site, in addition to females and neutered animals. The main clinical signs of cranial cruciate ligament instability in dogs will present pain and lameness, requiring veterinary consultation to determine the cause. The diagnosis of total or partial insufficiency is established by methods applied to the physical examination and complementary, with the drawer test, tibial compression, radiography and ultrasound being the main techniques employed. Identification is established by assessing the degree of displacement performed by the tibia, considering an abnormal pattern when the stability of the joint is preserved. When analyzing parameters found in cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency using radiography, the main secondary alteration is degenerative joint disease. Meanwhile, due to the sensitivity of ultrasound in identifying soft tissues, meniscus alterations can be noted with greater precision. Thus, due to the high incidence of orthopedic injuries in the clinic of companion animals, it is necessary to apply studies with the objective of understanding the main alterations found in the diagnosis, so that it is possible to interpret secondary injuries, confirm or exclude diagnoses and provide the best treatment for patients.