Morphometric measurements to predict meniscal size in skeletally mature dogs for meniscal transplantation

Abstract

Objective: To determine a relationship between morphometric measurements (MM) and meniscal dimensions (MD) in the dog. Study design: Cadaveric study. Animals: Eighteen mixed-breed canine cadavers (22.35 ± 4.06 kg); 36 each of medial and lateral menisci. Methods: The following MM were obtained in duplicate: height at scapula, withers, pelvis, rump, and greater trochanter; chest circumference; pelvic circumference; length from occiput to the base of the tail; hock to stifle length (HS); body weight; body condition score; and body fat percentage (BF%). Stifles were disarticulated, and digital photographs of in situ menisci were used to obtain meniscal measurements in duplicate. Morphometric parameters were compared with MD via Pearson correlation (r). A correlation of r ≥ 0.65 was considered strong. Results: The strongest correlation was noted between HS and MD, with r = 0.85 for lateral meniscal width, r = 0.77 for medial meniscal length, and r = 0.76 for medial meniscal width. Lateral meniscal length had the strongest correlation with height at rump (HRu) (r = 0.73). Body weight correlated strongly with meniscal width and fairly with meniscal length. Body condition score and BF% correlated weakly with MD. Conclusion: Hock to stifle length was an easily obtainable variable and was proportional to MD. Clinical significance: Hock to stifle length may be considered by tissue banks and veterinary surgeons as a quick and cost effective screening tool for appropriate meniscal sizing in dogs.