Ex vivo evaluation of arthroscopically assisted shoulder stabilization in dogs using an intra-articular aiming device

To evaluate the use of an intra-articular aiming device (IAD) for medial shoulder stabilization with a suture-toggle repair or an interference screw repair using bone anchors in dogs.

Ex-vivo Study METHODS: Specimens were randomly divided into 2 groups (anchor and suture-toggle) with 10 shoulders each. Abduction angles were measured by goniometry prior to and following medial glenerohumeral ligament transection and after receiving arthroscopically assisted stabilization with either bone anchors or suture-toggle constructs. Bone stock and insertion angles were measured with computed tomography scans. All specimens were inspected by dissection.

Abduction angles increased post-transection in both groups, and were restored to normal in the anchor group, but 2° smaller than normal in the suture-toggle group following stabilization. Median magnitude of bone stock surrounding all tunnels ranged between 5.9 and 12.9 mm in the anchor group and 8.8 and 15.6 mm in the suture-toggle group (p = .002). Median insertion angles at the cranial glenoid, caudal glenoid, and humerus were 17.3°, 36.8 ° and 43.4° in the anchor group, respectively, and median insertion angles at the glenoid and humerus were 38.2° and 35.6° in the suture-toggle group, respectively (p = .91). Placement of anchors were not feasible in 3 specimens in the anchor group, and mild violations of the articular surfaces were detected in 3 specimens overall.

Arthroscopically assisted shoulder stabilization with an IAD was feasible in canine cadavers.

An IAD may facilitate arthroscopic shoulder stabilization in dogs. Further studies are warranted to evaluate safety and efficacy in a clinical setting.