Complications and Long-Term Outcome in 30 Canine Total Hip Arthroplasties Using a Second-Generation Selective Laser Melted Screw Cup.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report complications and outcomes of a cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) system with a second-generation selective laser-melted screw cup (SCSL). STUDY DESIGN: All THA using the SCSL performed at a single institution between January 2017 and November 2022 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with a minimum follow-up period of 12 months and complete medical records were included and analyzed for radiographic and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Thirty THA with SCSL in 23 dogs were included in this study. Complications were observed in seven hips, comprising two minor and five major complications, with two hips experiencing two major complications. Among these seven major complications, six were associated with the femoral implant and one involved cup luxation. Of the 30 THA, 4 were explanted, while 26 remained in place for a median follow-up of 17.5 months (range, 12-38 months). CONCLUSION: No cases of late aseptic loosening were observed with SCSL. THA using SCSL helps reduce cup-associated complications and is appropriate for THA surgery, and the overall complication rate is comparable with that of other single-implant systems. Nevertheless, four hips were explanted.

Novel approach for the treatment of canine elbow hygroma with extracorporeal shockwaves.

A hygroma is a fluid filled cavity, which appears due to repetitive traumata over bony prominences. For canine elbow hygroma there is no satisfactory treatment option available. Small hygromas should not be treated at all. Larger hygromas that restrict the dog in daily life, are infected, painful, or ulcerated should be treated surgically with drainage or total excision. Surgical treatment of hygromas results in long rehabilitation times and is associated with a high complication rate. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is widely used in human and veterinary rehabilitation medicine since several years. Even the mechanisms of action are not fully understood it has a wide range of indications. ESWT provides anti-inflammatory effects, promotes microcirculation, and is used for pain relief. In this case series of 4 consecutive cases in 3 dogs we treated hygromas with extracorporeal shockwaves each for 3 to 6 times usually on a weekly basis. All hygromas regressed completely and no complications were noted. Overall ESWT seems to provide a safe, easy-to-use, as well as cost-effective alternative treatment option for canine elbow hygroma.

The effect of steam sterilization on different 3D printable materials for surgical use in veterinary medicine.

BACKGROUND: Different 3D-printed materials polyactic acid (PLA), polyamide (PA), polycarbonates (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and GreenTEC Pro®I have been considered for surgical templates, but there is a sparity of data about how these materials are affected by steam sterilization. The aim of the current study was to test if and how these materials change morphologically when high temperature, pressure and humidity are applied during the steam sterilization process. The overall aim is to create patient-specific sawing templates for performing corrective osteotomies. After the designing process, test-specimens with five different materials: PLA, PC, ABS, PA and GreenTEC Pro® were 3D-printed in two filling grades (30 and 100%). The FDM method was used for printing. After 3D-printing, the test-specimens were steam sterilized with a standard program lasting 20 min, at a temperature of 121 °C and a pressure of 2-3 bar. In order to measure the deviation of the printed model, we measured the individual test-specimens before and after steam sterilization using a sliding gauge. RESULTS: PC, PA and ABS showed great morphological deviations from the template after 3D-printing and steam sterilization (> 1%) respectively. ABS proved unsuitable for steam sterilization. PLA and GreenTEC Pro® demonstrated fewer morphological deviations both before and after sterilization. Therefore, we decided to perform a second test just with PLA and Green-TEC Pro® to find out which material has the highest stability and is probably able to be used for clinical application. The smallest deviations were found with the GreenTEC Pro® solid body. After autoclaving, the specimens showed a deviation from the planned body and remained below the 1% limit. CONCLUSION: Steam sterilization causes morphological deviations in 3D printed objects. GreenTEC Pro® seems to be a suitable material for clinical use, not only for intraoperative use, but also for precise modeling. Microbiological examination, as well as biomechanical tests, should be performed to further assess whether intraoperative use is possible.

Treatment of the Clinical Symptoms of Osteoarthritis in the Elbow Joints of Dogs Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Therapy: A Randomized, Double-Blinded Trial.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of nuclear magnetic resonance therapy (MBST®) on the clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA) in the elbow joints of dogs. Methods: In this double-blind study, 28 dogs with lameness caused by OA in the elbow joint were randomly allocated to two groups: 14 dogs received nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) therapy [treatment group (TG)], and 14 dogs received a placebo [placebo group (PG)] over a period of 7 consecutive days. Visual and objective gait analyses were performed before treatment (M1) and at 3 (M2) and 6 months (M3) after treatment. At M2 and M3 Symmetry indices (SI) of the peak vertical force (PVFz) and the vertical impulse (IFz), lameness scores, and pain scores were compared with their values at M1 to calculate the overall treatment effectiveness (OTE) score. We also documented additional pain medication and medical physiotherapy during the time of study. Finally, we measured the range of motion (ROM) in order to evaluate the functional development of the joint. Results: The median OTE score of dogs in the TG indicates no change after 3 month and was improved after 6 months of treatment. There was an improvement of the median OTE score of dogs in the PG after 3 months of treatment. Further, the OTE scores of dogs in the PG were actually worse after 6 months. Nevertheless, there were no significance differences in SIPVFz, SIIFz, ROM, and lameness- and pain scores between the TG and PG at M1, M2, and M3. When considering all collected parameters (excluding the ROM) to calculate the OTE, no significant difference between groups was measurable for the OTE. Conclusion: There was a positive effect of NMR therapy (MBST®) on the treatment of OA in dogs. However, future studies should investigate the mechanisms underlying NMR therapy and the pathophysiology of OA to provide optimal treatments for patients. Clinical Significance: Our results demonstrated that the response to NMR treatment was individualized for each dog. As an integral way of treating dogs with chronic OA, NMR therapy may be an alternative therapeutic approach to support traditional medications.