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Does Osgood-Schlatter disease exist in the dog?
D J F von Pfeil1, C E Decamp, K L Diegel
1Veterinary Specialists of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska 99503, USA. drvonpfeil.vsoa@ak.net
Summary
Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) in adolescents involves tibial tuberosity pain and swelling due to tensile trauma. This review differentiates human OSD from similar canine injuries and proposes a new classification for dogs.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Veterinary Medicine
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is a common condition in adolescents characterized by pain and swelling at the tibial tuberosity.
- The condition is typically caused by tensile trauma from the patellar ligament insertion.
- Radiographic findings in humans include ossicles at the patellar ligament insertion, with conservative treatment usually being effective.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) in humans.
- To examine reports of proximal tibial tuberosity injuries in dogs.
- To propose a new classification system and management algorithm for tibial tuberosity avulsion injuries in immature dogs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) in humans.
- Analysis of radiographic findings in canine tibial tuberosity injuries.
- Development of a novel classification system for canine tibial tuberosity avulsion.
Main Results:
- Human OSD presents with specific radiographic signs and is generally managed conservatively.
- Canine tibial tuberosity injuries, while sharing some terminology, exhibit distinct radiographic features, consistent with mild avulsion fractures.
- Radiographic differences suggest that the term OSD is best reserved for human patients.
Conclusions:
- The term Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) should be used specifically for human adolescent patients.
- Canine proximal tibial tuberosity injuries require distinct diagnostic and management approaches.
- A new classification and management algorithm are proposed for immature dogs with tibial tuberosity avulsion injuries.
