Explanation of Pertinent Facts


3 YO pomeranian:  This is a mature, adult dog which indicates that all growth 
plates are closed. 
Pomeranians, as well as other small dog breeds, may be predisposed to congenital 
diseases which 
might affect the stifle joint.

11.6 pounds: does not indicate obesity

Fell off bed one year ago, leading to weight bearing lameness on RR leg: creates 
suspicion of 
trauma to one of the structures of the stifle joint as a cause for the lameness. 
Inflammation 
secondary to trauma could also play a role in the pain.

Clinically normal one month post injury: indicates that sufficient healing of 
any damaged 
structures suffered from the fall has occurred to alleviate any lameness in the 
joint.

6 months later started showing mild RR lameness: A damaged structure in the 
joint could have 
healed via fibrosis, which is not functionally the same as normal tissue. 
Chronic wear and tear to 
a previously damaged joint could lead to degenerative changes and a recurrence 
of lameness.

Anti-inflammatory injection 7 months post injury -- did not help: Suggests that 
inflammatory 
disease is not the primary problem.

Lameness has not progressed severely in the last 6 months: Suggests chronic, 
degenerative 
change, but not a malignant bone tumor such as osteosarcoma.

Grade 3/4 intermittent, non-weight bearing lameness on RR leg: A significant 
lameness, possibly 
due to a combination of trauma and chronic degenerative changes. 

Palpation of RR revealed that medial buttressing is possible on the stifle: 
Indicates a thickening of 
the medial cartilage inside the stifle joint. It can suggest medial collateral 
ligament thickening.

Cranial drawer negative: Can rule out cranial cruciate ligament tear.

Patella easily luxated to medial side of trochlear groove with leg in extension: 
Suggests abnormal 
integrity of the ligaments supporting the patella: the patellar ligament, and 
the lateral and medial 
femoropatellar ligaments.

Patella returns to trochlear groove when stifle is in flexion: the patellar 
ligament and the tendon of 
the quadriceps muscle pull the patella back into place during flexion.

No abnormalities in hip joint, long bones, muscles, and other joints in the leg: 
focuses our exam 
on the stifle joint

Palpation of the LR lef revealed only pain when cranial drawer and patella 
luxation attempted: 
Left stifle joint pain could be due to overcompensation from favoring the right 
leg for 6 months.

Pain response elicited on dorsal flexion of the tail: Dorsal flexion of the tail 
may require a 
stiffening of the legs, which would move the stifle joint and elicit a pain 
response.

No pain on direct pressure to spine and lumbosacral joint: eliminates the 
possibility of a slipped 
disk as the cause for the pain in the animal.