Relato de caso: artrotomia para tratamento de osteocondrite dissecante em canino

Abstract

This case report describes the surgical treatment of a 7-month-old male canine, SRD, with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in the left scapulohumeral joint. The patient was presented to the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Uberlândia (HOVET-UFU) with a history of progressive lameness in the left thoracic limb, with no response to previous conservative treatment with dipyrone and carprofen. The physical and orthopedic examination showed pain in the extension of the scapulohumeral joint bilaterally, with lameness more evident on the left. Radiographs revealed findings suggestive of OCD in both scapulohumeral joints, with greater involvement on the right. It was decided to perform surgical intervention on the left joint, which was more symptomatic, using the craniolateral approach with tenotomy of the infraspinatus muscle. The surgery consisted of removing the cartilaginous flap and curettage of the lesion, aiming to stimulate the formation of fibrocartilage. The postoperative period was marked by a seroma at the surgical site, which was drained by lancing. After 15 days, the patient showed complete recovery of locomotor function. Osteochondrosis, although more common in large and giant breeds, was diagnosed in this case in a medium-sized SRD dog. The rapid progression of the disease, evidenced by the comparison between the initial radiographs and those taken at HOVET-UFU, reinforces the importance of early diagnosis and surgical intervention in cases refractory to conservative treatment. The craniolateral approach, despite potentially causing greater tissue trauma, allowed adequate access to the lesion and resulted in a satisfactory recovery for the patient.