The microarchitecture of the tissues of the shoulder joint in dogs

Up to the present time practically not studied the peculiarities of formation of cartilage inthe various compartments of the shoulder joint in dogs, as well as zones of least resistancejoints in General. Available studies mainly use visual diagnostic methods, without applyingmorphological and morphometric. There is no information about age-related cytomorphologicaltransformations occurring in the joint in normal and pathological conditions. In this regard,the aim of our study was to determine the zone of risk of damage to the shoulder joint in dogs.Studies were conducted on dogs and cadaver material, selected from giant, large and mediumsized breeds. Arthroscopic studies of dogs were performed, as well as light microscopy ofhistological sections of freshly treated samples of joint tissues. As a result of trauma to the jointis transformed physiological synovial folds in sklerozirovanie a pathological form that occurs inGerman shepherd dogs over 5 years of age in 60% of cases. The process of mineralization of thematrix and the appearance of multiple foci of ossification occurs asynchronously in the cartilageof the head of the humerus and the articular cavity of the scapula. Osteoplastic processes in thearea of articulation occur unevenly. Cartilage coating of the articular surface of the shoulderblade is characterized by a more uniform distribution than the articular rotation of the humerushead. The zones of risk of damage to the structures of the shoulder joint in dogs were determined.These include: cranial and medial compartments of the joint, the caudal area of the cartilaginouscoating of the humerus, the caudal area of the articular surface of the scapula cavity. The dataobtained make up for the information about the diagnosis and risk factors in the developmentof shoulder joint pathologies in dogs of large and giant breeds. They should be used in clinicaldiagnosis and surgery of the musculoskeletal system in animals.

Sonoarthrographic examination of posterior labrocapsular structures of the shoulder joint

Objective: To describe the posterior labral lesions and labrocapsular abnormalities of the shoulder on sonoarthrography and to compare these findings with MR arthrography results. Methods: 82 shoulders were initially evaluated with ultrasonography and MRI and then were examined with sonoarthrography and MR arthrography following intraarticular injection of diluted gadolinium solution. The ultrasonography images were prospectively evaluated for the presence of posterior labral tear, sublabral cleft, and posterior capsular abnormalities by two radiologists. The diagnostic accuracy of sonoarthrography in the detection of posterior labral tears and posterior labrocapsular variants was compared with that of MR arthrography. Results: In sonoarthrographic examinations of 82 shoulders, 5 and 6 posterior labral tears were identified by Observer 1 and 2, respectively. Moreover, 6 and 7 posterior sublabral clefts, and 2 and 3 posterior synovial folds were identified by Observer 1 and 2, respectively. All the 82 patients were examined with MR arthrography; however, only 14 patients underwent arthroscopic examination. No significant difference was found among the 82 patients with regard to age, gender, and the prevalence of posterior labral tear, posterior labral cleft, and posterior synovial fold (p > 0.05). Interobserver variability showed substantial agreement between the sonoarthrographic and MR arthrographic results of the posterior labrocapsular structures (κ = 0.71, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Posterior labral tears and posterior synovial folds of the shoulder joint can be evaluated non-invasively by sonoarthrography. Advances in knowledge: Variations and pathologies of posterior labrocapsular structures of the glenohumeral joint are relatively uncommon. Direct (MR) arthrography is the gold-standard imaging modality to evaluate of posterior labrocapsular abnormalities of the glenohumeral joint. Sonoarthrography of the glenohumeral joint may be utilized in clinical practice in patients with contraindications to (MRI).

Plicae: Where Do They Come from and When Are They Relevant?

Synovial plicae are vestigial folds of synovium in a joint, most widely recognized in the knee and also in the elbow and hip joints. The most commonly shared theory on the origin of plicae is that they are the remnants of the membranes that divide the synovial cavitations during normal joint development. Synovial folds do not generally cause any symptoms. However, they can become inflamed, thickened, fibrosed, and also impinged in the joint, leading to mechanical symptoms and chondral damage. This article presents an overview of the embryological origin of plicae, their anatomy, pathologies, and appearances on imaging. We also discuss the lesser known plicae in various other areas.

Pathological Knee Joint Synovial Folds in Children and Adolescents (diagnosis, arthroscopic treatment)

Basing on the analysis of 817 arthroscopic interventions on the knee in children and adolescents with various knee joint pathology it was detected that pathology of synovial folds was one of the main causes of knee pain and discomfort in that group of patients. Pathological pattern of synovial folds was visualized in 127 patients. Treatment of this pathology requires knee arthroscopy for verification of preliminary diagnosis made by results of clinical and radiologic examinations, determination of the stage of various folds pathologic process as well as elaboration of surgical tactics.

Examination and Treatment of Cuboid Syndrome

Context: Cuboid syndrome is thought to be a common source of lateral midfoot pain in athletes. Evidence Acquisition: A Medline search was performed via PubMed (through June 2010) using the search terms cuboid, syndrome, subluxed, locked, fault, dropped, peroneal, lateral, plantar, and neuritis with the Boolean term AND in all possible combinations. Retrieved articles were hand searched for additional relevant references. Results: Cuboid syndrome is thought to arise from subtle disruption of the arthrokinematics or structural congruity of the calcaneocuboid joint, although the precise pathomechanic mechanism has not been elucidated. Fibroadipose synovial folds (or labra) within the calcaneocuboid joint may play a role in the cause of cuboid syndrome, but this is highly speculative. The symptoms of cuboid syndrome resemble those of a ligament sprain. Currently, there are no definitive diagnostic tests for this condition. Case reports suggest that cuboid syndrome often responds favorably to manipulation and/or external support. Conclusions: Evidence-based guidelines regarding cuboid syndrome are lacking. Consequently, the diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often based on a constellation of signs and symptoms and a high index of suspicion. Unless contraindicated, manipulation of the cuboid should be considered as an initial treatment.

An Unusual Cause of Lateral Knee Pain following Total Knee Replacement

A 70-year-old male underwent elective total knee replacement for osteoarthritis. At initial review six weeks after surgery the prosthesis was functioning well and he was asymptomatic. He reattended clinic four months postoperatively having developed worsening pain on the lateral aspect of the knee but without any loss of function or stiffness of the joint. He subsequently underwent arthroscopy where synovial folds in the lateral gutter were debrided and entirely alleviated his symptoms. This is an unusual cause of pain following total knee replacement which has not been previously reported.