Evaluation of meniscal and articular cartilage lesions in femoral and tibial condyles in dogs without cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency: cadaveric study

The menisci of the stifle joint are essential for impact absorption, joint stability, and load support. Meniscal injuries, particularly of the medial meniscus, can lead to osteoarthritis and are generally associated with cranial cruciate ligament instability. Lateral meniscal injuries are less frequent. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of medial or lateral meniscal injuries and cartilage lesions on the tibial and femoral condyles in cadaveric dogs with intact cranial cruciate ligaments, and to correlate the meniscal injuries with the tibial plateau angle and the presence of condylar lesions. 192 canine stifles joints were evaluated. All limbs underwent radiographic evaluation to exclude musculoskeletal abnormalities and to calculate the tibial plateau angle. All stifles were dissected, and the menisci, tibial and femoral condyles were stained with 20% India ink. Lesions were found in 29 medial menisci and 28 lateral menisci. Cartilage lesions were identified in 52 medial femoral condyles and 46 lateral femoral condyles. In the tibia, lesions were found in 94 medial condyles and 63 lateral condyles. A significant association was identified when comparing lesions in the femoral and tibial condyles (both lateral and medial) with lesions in the medial and lateral menisci. There was no statistical difference in the average tibial plateau angle between limbs with and without meniscal lesions. Lesions of the medial and lateral menisci may be seen even with intact cranial cruciate ligaments. It was possible to identify lesions in the cartilage of lateral and medial femoral and tibial condyles using India ink, which were correlated with meniscal lesions.