Video-assisted ligamentoplasty effectively treats medial shoulder instability in dogs: a retrospective study of 6 cases.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical feasibility and efficacy of a video-assisted ligamentoplasty of the medial glenohumeral ligament for the treatment of medial shoulder joint instability in dogs. ANIMALS: This retrospective study included 6 dogs with medial shoulder instability treated by video-assisted ligamentoplasty of the medial glenohumeral ligament. Inclusion criteria required documented medical records containing signalment, clinical history, diagnostic imaging, surgical details, and postoperative assessments, along with a minimum follow-up period of 6 months. Complications and midterm outcomes were recorded. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: The 6 dogs exhibited a weight-bearing lameness, and during the orthopedic examination under sedation, an abduction angle exceeding 35° was observed. RESULTS: All joints were stabilized successfully. The abduction angle immediately after repair was 17.5 ± 1.2° and after 6 months 24.6 ± 1.8°. Postoperative shoulder stability was satisfactory, with excellent functional recovery in 5 dogs and good recovery in 1 dog. No complications occurred. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Video-assisted shoulder stabilization is feasible in dogs and appears to yield satisfactory clinical results. This novel technique shows promising results and encourages the development of minimally invasive techniques for an optimal patient recovery.