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Heikkila et al: Randomized, Blinded, Controlled Clinical Trial of Polylactide–Collagen Scaffold in Treatment of Shoulder Osteochondritis Dissecans in Dogs
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology 6, 2024

🔍 Key Findings Summary

  • 22 dogs (36 shoulders) with shoulder OCD randomly assigned to COPLA scaffold (n=19) or Control (n=17) group
  • At 6 months: Significantly fewer dogs in COPLA group had OA (14% vs. 67%; p = 0.019)
  • At 1.5 years: OA prevalence increased in both groups with no significant difference (COPLA: 64%, Control: 60%)
  • HCPI (pain index) increased significantly at 1 week post-op in COPLA dogs only (p = 0.001), but later normalized
  • Static weight-bearing improved only in unilaterally operated COPLA limbs (p = 0.015)
  • One dog in COPLA group had a fragment dislodge requiring arthroscopic removal
  • Overall, COPLA scaffold may provide short-term benefit in OA reduction, but long-term outcomes were similar

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← Articles

Heikkila et al: Randomized, Blinded, Controlled Clinical Trial of Polylactide–Collagen Scaffold in Treatment of Shoulder Osteochondritis Dissecans in Dogs
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology 6, 2024

🔍 Key Findings Summary

  • 22 dogs (36 shoulders) with shoulder OCD randomly assigned to COPLA scaffold (n=19) or Control (n=17) group
  • At 6 months: Significantly fewer dogs in COPLA group had OA (14% vs. 67%; p = 0.019)
  • At 1.5 years: OA prevalence increased in both groups with no significant difference (COPLA: 64%, Control: 60%)
  • HCPI (pain index) increased significantly at 1 week post-op in COPLA dogs only (p = 0.001), but later normalized
  • Static weight-bearing improved only in unilaterally operated COPLA limbs (p = 0.015)
  • One dog in COPLA group had a fragment dislodge requiring arthroscopic removal
  • Overall, COPLA scaffold may provide short-term benefit in OA reduction, but long-term outcomes were similar

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Heikkilä 2024 et al., on COPLA scaffold evaluation, what was the significant imaging-based outcome at 6 months in the COPLA group?

A. Significantly improved lesion width compared to baseline
B. Significantly lower prevalence of OA compared to Control group
C. Significantly lower lameness scores than Control group
D. Significantly higher range of motion than baseline
E. No significant change in lesion depth

Answer: Significantly lower prevalence of OA compared to Control group

Explanation: The COPLA group had significantly fewer shoulders with OA at 6 months than the Control group (14% vs. 67%, p=0.019):contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
In Heikkilä 2024 et al., on COPLA scaffold evaluation, what was the key finding at 1.5 years postoperatively?

A. All dogs had OA and were lame
B. No significant group differences in OA prevalence
C. OA was eliminated in the COPLA group
D. Control group showed better PROM than COPLA group
E. Significant improvement in owner pain scores only in COPLA

Answer: No significant group differences in OA prevalence

Explanation: At 1.5 years, both groups had a high prevalence of OA with no significant difference between COPLA and Control shoulders (64% vs. 60%):contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
In Heikkilä 2024 et al., on COPLA scaffold evaluation, which parameter improved significantly only in unilaterally operated COPLA limbs?

A. Vertical impulse
B. Peak vertical force
C. Static weight-bearing on operated limb
D. Helsinki Chronic Pain Index
E. Range of motion

Answer: Static weight-bearing on operated limb

Explanation: Only the unilaterally operated COPLA limbs showed a significant improvement in static weight-bearing at 1.5 years (p=0.015):contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
In Heikkilä 2024 et al., on COPLA scaffold evaluation, which adverse event was observed in the COPLA group?

A. Death from anesthesia complications
B. Severe wound dehiscence
C. Recurrent synovitis requiring amputation
D. Fragment dislodgment requiring repeat arthroscopy
E. Fracture of the humeral head

Answer: Fragment dislodgment requiring repeat arthroscopy

Explanation: One COPLA-treated dog developed lameness due to a dislodged fragment from the lesion site requiring arthroscopic removal:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
In Heikkilä 2024 et al., on COPLA scaffold evaluation, which early post-op pain-related finding was significant in COPLA dogs?

A. HCPI decreased significantly in COPLA dogs
B. HCPI increased significantly in COPLA dogs at 1 week
C. Control dogs had significantly higher pain scores
D. COPLA dogs required more analgesics at discharge
E. COPLA dogs had higher PROM scores

Answer: HCPI increased significantly in COPLA dogs at 1 week

Explanation: COPLA dogs showed a significant increase in HCPI at 1 week post-op compared to baseline (p=0.001), suggesting more post-op pain:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

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Randomized, Blinded, Controlled Clinical Trial of Polylactide–Collagen Scaffold in Treatment of Shoulder Osteochondritis Dissecans in Dogs