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Kikuchi et al: Incidence of Medial Meniscus Injury Detected by Arthroscopy in Toy Breed Dogs
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology 5, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

  • Medial meniscus injury (MMI) occurred in 36.3% of stifles with CrCLR in toy breed dogs (<5 kg)
  • Complete CrCLR was significantly associated with MMI (15.3% of complete vs. 3.4% of partial)
  • Severe lameness (grade 3) increased the likelihood of MMI compared to mild lameness (grade 1)
  • Higher body weight, even within the toy breed range, was positively associated with MMI
  • Yorkshire Terriers had the highest MMI incidence (55.6%), but this was not a significant independent factor due to multicollinearity
  • Arthroscopy identified more meniscal damage (including small radial tears and bucket-handle lesions) than gross examination might detect
  • MMI was classified as mild (radial tear) or severe (bucket-handle or flap) with implications for partial meniscectomy
  • Arthroscopy was used in all cases, underscoring its utility in small-breed stifle assessment

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← Articles

Kikuchi et al: Incidence of Medial Meniscus Injury Detected by Arthroscopy in Toy Breed Dogs
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology 5, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

  • Medial meniscus injury (MMI) occurred in 36.3% of stifles with CrCLR in toy breed dogs (<5 kg)
  • Complete CrCLR was significantly associated with MMI (15.3% of complete vs. 3.4% of partial)
  • Severe lameness (grade 3) increased the likelihood of MMI compared to mild lameness (grade 1)
  • Higher body weight, even within the toy breed range, was positively associated with MMI
  • Yorkshire Terriers had the highest MMI incidence (55.6%), but this was not a significant independent factor due to multicollinearity
  • Arthroscopy identified more meniscal damage (including small radial tears and bucket-handle lesions) than gross examination might detect
  • MMI was classified as mild (radial tear) or severe (bucket-handle or flap) with implications for partial meniscectomy
  • Arthroscopy was used in all cases, underscoring its utility in small-breed stifle assessment

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Kikuchi 2025 et al., on arthroscopic MMI in toy breeds, which variable was **not** part of the final regression model predicting MMI?

A. Body weight
B. Degree of CrCLR
C. Lameness grade
D. Age
E. Breed

Answer: Age

Explanation: The final model included body weight, lameness score, and CrCL status. Breed and age were excluded in multivariate analysis.
In Kikuchi 2025 et al., on arthroscopic MMI in toy breeds, what arthroscopic finding was associated with **severe** meniscal injury?

A. Meniscotibial ligament laxity
B. Small radial tear
C. Bucket-handle tear
D. Femoral condyle abrasion
E. Lateral meniscal displacement

Answer: Bucket-handle tear

Explanation: Severe MMI was defined as requiring partial meniscectomy, often due to bucket-handle or flap tears.
In Kikuchi 2025 et al., on arthroscopic MMI in toy breeds, which factor was significantly associated with an increased risk of MMI?

A. Lower body weight
B. Younger age
C. Grade 1 lameness
D. Complete CrCLR
E. Patellar luxation

Answer: Complete CrCLR

Explanation: Dogs with complete CrCLR had significantly higher rates of MMI compared to those with partial tears.
In Kikuchi 2025 et al., on arthroscopic MMI in toy breeds, what was the overall incidence of medial meniscus injury (MMI) in dogs with CrCLR?

A. 12.5%
B. 21.1%
C. 36.3%
D. 48.0%
E. 62.7%

Answer: 36.3%

Explanation: MMI was detected arthroscopically in 36.3% of stifles with CrCLR in toy breed dogs.
In Kikuchi 2025 et al., on arthroscopic MMI in toy breeds, what was the purpose of using a 2.4-mm arthroscope in this population?

A. To perform meniscectomy in large joints
B. To improve resolution of femoral lesions
C. To avoid interference with femoral trochlea
D. To achieve accurate diagnosis in small joints
E. To visualize lateral retinaculum

Answer: To achieve accurate diagnosis in small joints

Explanation: A 2.4-mm arthroscope allowed detailed assessment of the stifle joint in toy breeds, ensuring meniscal injuries were not missed.

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