← Articles

Hoenecke et al: Increased radiographic stifle soft tissue opacity in dogs with patella luxation
Veterinary Surgery 7, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

  • 65% of stifles with patella luxation and intact CCLs had increased radiographic soft tissue opacity
  • Weight and radiographic OA were significantly associated with increased opacity (p = .0029 and p = .0143)
  • Each 1 kg increase in weight increased the odds of opacity by 10%
  • Grade of patella luxation, age, and muscle atrophy were not significantly associated with increased opacity
  • 19% of dogs with long-term follow-up developed a CCL rupture post-patella surgery, 50% of those had opacity at initial presentation
  • Radiographic opacity alone should not be interpreted as CCL disease in dogs with patella luxation
  • Radiographic findings likely represent effusion or synovial hyperplasia, not CCL pathology
  • Arthrotomy was used to confirm CCL integrity at surgery, but arthroscopy could provide better sensitivity

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

Hoenecke et al: Increased radiographic stifle soft tissue opacity in dogs with patella luxation
Veterinary Surgery 7, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

  • 65% of stifles with patella luxation and intact CCLs had increased radiographic soft tissue opacity
  • Weight and radiographic OA were significantly associated with increased opacity (p = .0029 and p = .0143)
  • Each 1 kg increase in weight increased the odds of opacity by 10%
  • Grade of patella luxation, age, and muscle atrophy were not significantly associated with increased opacity
  • 19% of dogs with long-term follow-up developed a CCL rupture post-patella surgery, 50% of those had opacity at initial presentation
  • Radiographic opacity alone should not be interpreted as CCL disease in dogs with patella luxation
  • Radiographic findings likely represent effusion or synovial hyperplasia, not CCL pathology
  • Arthrotomy was used to confirm CCL integrity at surgery, but arthroscopy could provide better sensitivity

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 Hoenecke 2025 et al., on radiographic opacity in patella luxation, what percentage of stifles in dogs with intact CCLs showed increased soft tissue opacity on radiographs?

A. 32%
B. 50%
C. 65%
D. 78%
E. 90%

Answer: 65%

Explanation: Opacity was present in 65% of stifles with patella luxation and no overt CCL disease.
In Hoenecke 2025 et al., on radiographic opacity in patella luxation, which variable was found to significantly increase the likelihood of radiographic soft tissue opacity in the stifle?

A. Grade of patellar luxation
B. Age
C. Weight
D. Muscle atrophy
E. Duration of clinical signs

Answer: Weight

Explanation: Weight was significantly associated with increased opacity, with each 1 kg increase raising odds by 10%.
In Hoenecke 2025 et al., on radiographic opacity in patella luxation, which diagnostic technique was suggested to provide better sensitivity than arthrotomy for subtle CCL damage?

A. Joint aspiration
B. CT scan
C. Arthroscopy
D. Radiographic grading
E. Ultrasonography

Answer: Arthroscopy

Explanation: Authors noted arthroscopy provides better sensitivity for subtle intra-articular changes than arthrotomy.
In Hoenecke 2025 et al., on radiographic opacity in patella luxation, what was the interpretation of increased radiographic soft tissue opacity in dogs without overt CCL pathology?

A. It always indicated early cruciate disease
B. It was strongly associated with muscle atrophy
C. It should not be assumed to represent CCL pathology
D. It was more common in grade IV luxation
E. It correlated with shorter duration of clinical signs

Answer: It should not be assumed to represent CCL pathology

Explanation: Authors emphasized opacity alone is not sufficient to diagnose CCL disease.
In Hoenecke 2025 et al., on radiographic opacity in patella luxation, what percentage of dogs with long-term follow-up developed subsequent CCL rupture?

A. 5%
B. 10%
C. 19%
D. 27%
E. 40%

Answer: 19%

Explanation: 4 of 21 dogs (19%) with long-term follow-up developed a CCL rupture after patella luxation surgery.

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

Hanlon

 et al: 

Mechanical evaluation of canine sacroiliac joint stabilization using two short screws

Dobberstein

 et al: 

Primary repair of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug‐associated full thickness gastrointestinal ulcers in 11 dogs

Jeong

 et al: 

Evaluation of a contoured saw guide for tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in dogs

Devriendt

 et al: 

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

Scheuermann

 et al: 

Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis of femoral fractures with 3D-printed bone models and custom surgical guides: A cadaveric study in dogs