← Articles

Zann et al: Long-term outcome of dogs treated by surgical debridement of proximal humeral osteochondrosis
Veterinary Surgery 7, 2023

🔍 Key Findings

  • 20 dogs (26 shoulders) evaluated at mean 3.5 years post-surgery after arthroscopic or open debridement.
  • Ipsilateral muscle atrophy and decreased range of motion (↓ extension, ↓ flexion) in affected limbs compared to contralateral healthy shoulders.
  • All treated shoulders developed osteoarthritis, confirmed radiographically, by CT, and arthroscopically.
  • Moderate to severe synovitis was present in all shoulders; lesions showed patchy, incomplete cartilage infilling even up to 8.9 years post-op.
  • Kinetic gait analysis showed no significant differences in PVF/VI between affected and unaffected limbs, despite mild lameness clinically.
  • Owners reported good to very good mobility (median LOAD = 6), often underestimating clinical lameness.
  • CT detected larger lesion dimensions than radiographs (wider, deeper defects).
  • Despite progression of OA, surgical debridement was associated with satisfactory long-term function, though not prevention of degenerative changes.

Simini Surgery Review Podcast

How critical is this paper for crushing the Boards?

🚨 Must-know. I’d bet on seeing this.

📚 Useful background, not must-know.

💤 Skip it. Doubt it’ll ever show up.

Thanks for the feedback!
‍We'll keep fine-tuning the articles vault.
Oops — didn’t go through.
‍Mind trying that again?
← Articles

Zann et al: Long-term outcome of dogs treated by surgical debridement of proximal humeral osteochondrosis
Veterinary Surgery 7, 2023

🔍 Key Findings

  • 20 dogs (26 shoulders) evaluated at mean 3.5 years post-surgery after arthroscopic or open debridement.
  • Ipsilateral muscle atrophy and decreased range of motion (↓ extension, ↓ flexion) in affected limbs compared to contralateral healthy shoulders.
  • All treated shoulders developed osteoarthritis, confirmed radiographically, by CT, and arthroscopically.
  • Moderate to severe synovitis was present in all shoulders; lesions showed patchy, incomplete cartilage infilling even up to 8.9 years post-op.
  • Kinetic gait analysis showed no significant differences in PVF/VI between affected and unaffected limbs, despite mild lameness clinically.
  • Owners reported good to very good mobility (median LOAD = 6), often underestimating clinical lameness.
  • CT detected larger lesion dimensions than radiographs (wider, deeper defects).
  • Despite progression of OA, surgical debridement was associated with satisfactory long-term function, though not prevention of degenerative changes.

Simini Surgery Review Podcast

Join Now to Access Key Summaries to more Veterinary Surgery Articles!
Log InSign Up

Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Zann 2023 et al., In Long-term outcomes after proximal humeral OC debridement in dogs, what functional outcome was most frequently reported by owners at long-term follow-up?

A. Severe mobility impairment
B. Moderate to severe persistent lameness
C. Good to very good mobility
D. Major exercise intolerance
E. Requirement of salvage procedures

Answer: God to very good mobility

Explanation: Despite progression of OA, most owners described their dogs’ mobility as good or very good (median LOAD = 6).
In Zann 2023 et al., In Long-term outcomes after proximal humeral OC debridement in dogs, what did CT reveal compared to radiography for lesion size assessment?

A. Smaller defects on CT
B. No measurable difference
C. Lesions measured wider and deeper on CT
D. CT underestimated depth but overestimated width
E. CT was only useful for detecting osteophytes

Answer: Lesions measured wider and deeper on CT

Explanation: CT showed significantly larger lesion dimensions compared to radiographs.
In Zann 2023 et al., In Long-term outcomes after proximal humeral OC debridement in dogs, what difference was noted in affected limbs compared to contralateral limbs in unilaterally affected dogs?

A. Increased brachial circumference
B. Improved shoulder extension
C. Decreased brachial circumference and extension
D. Improved peak vertical force
E. Stronger limb symmetry indices

Answer: Decreased brachial circumference and extension

Explanation: OC limbs showed measurable atrophy and reduced ROM compared to contralateral healthy limbs.
In Zann 2023 et al., In Long-term outcomes after proximal humeral OC debridement in dogs, how did kinetic gait analysis compare affected and unaffected limbs?

A. Significantly reduced peak vertical force in affected limbs
B. Marked reduction in vertical impulse
C. No significant differences in PVF or VI
D. Complete inability to bear weight on affected limb
E. Progressive worsening with exercise

Answer: No significant differences in PVF or VI

Explanation: Kinetic data showed no significant differences, despite mild lameness noted clinically.
In Zann 2023 et al., In Long-term outcomes after proximal humeral OC debridement in dogs, what was a consistent finding in all shoulders treated surgically for proximal humeral osteochondrosis?

A. Full restoration of articular cartilage
B. No progression of osteoarthritis
C. Moderate-to-severe synovitis
D. Absence of muscle atrophy
E. Improved peak vertical force compared to contralateral limb

Answer: Moderate-to-severe synovitis

Explanation: All surgically treated shoulders developed OA and synovitis, with incomplete cartilage infilling.

Elevate Your Infection Control Protocol

Implement Simini Protect Lavage for superior, clinically-proven post-operative skin antisepsis and reduced infection risk.

Start Your Free Trial TodayStart Your Free Trial

Review More Key Summaries from this Veterinary Surgery Journal Issue

Dalton

 et al: 

Minimally invasive repair of acetabular fractures in dogs: Ex vivo feasibility study and case report

Zann

 et al: 

Long-term outcome of dogs treated by surgical debridement of proximal humeral osteochondrosis

Longo

 et al: 

Three‐dimensional volume rendering planning, surgical treatment, and clinical outcomes for femoral and tibial detorsional osteotomies in dogs

Devriendt

 et al: 

Evaluation of different blood tests in dogs with extrahepatic portosystemic shunts to assess shunt closure after surgical treatment

Fitzpatrick

 et al: 

External skeletal fixation for the treatment of pelvic fractures in cats