Comparison of Osteoarthritis Progression Following Tibial plateau Leveling Osteotomy performed by either locking (LCP) or dynamic compression plates (DCP) in dogs: A retrospective radiographic study of 36 stifles

This study was aimed to compare degree of osteoarthritic (OA) changes following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) performed by the use of either locking compression plates (LCP) or dynamic compression plates (DCP), following rupture of cranial cruciate ligament (CCLR) in dogs. Radiographic OA changes were evaluated in pre and post-operative radiographs of 36 stifles following TPLO using OA modified scale. Two groups were evaluated; first with CCLR operated with DCP plates, while the Second group corrected with LCP plates. Age, weight, pre- and post- operative TPA, required tibial plateau rotation, pre- and post- operative OA changes were evaluated and compared statistically using mean (m), standard deviation (SD), standard error of mean (SEM), Wilcoxon signed-rank test and t-test “paired and unpaired”. Statistical significance was set at p-value 0.05. Within 9 months following TPLO, second group stifles (DCP) were associated with increased OA mean more than first group (LCP) with highly significant difference (p-value ≤ 0.0001). In conclusion, LCP plates, as synthes clover- leaf LCP, were associated with less degree of OA changes in the long run follow up, while DCP TPLO, as Slocum plates, induced increased osteoarthritis progression in long term.