Heikkila et al: Randomized, Blinded, Controlled Clinical Trial of Polylactide–Collagen Scaffold in Treatment of Shoulder Osteochondritis Dissecans in Dogs
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology 6, 2024

🔍 Key Findings Summary

• 22 dogs (36 shoulders) with shoulder OCD randomly assigned to COPLA scaffold (n=19) or Control (n=17) group
• At 6 months: Significantly fewer dogs in COPLA group had OA (14% vs. 67%; p = 0.019)
• At 1.5 years: OA prevalence increased in both groups with no significant difference (COPLA: 64%, Control: 60%)
• HCPI (pain index) increased significantly at 1 week post-op in COPLA dogs only (p = 0.001), but later normalized
• Static weight-bearing improved only in unilaterally operated COPLA limbs (p = 0.015)
• One dog in COPLA group had a fragment dislodge requiring arthroscopic removal
• Overall, COPLA scaffold may provide short-term benefit in OA reduction, but long-term outcomes were similar