Abnormal modified Insall-Salvati index values are associated with increased odds of medial meniscal tears in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament tears.

Abnormal modified Insall-Salvati index values triple the odds of concurrent medial meniscal tears in dogs with CCLTs.

This retrospective cohort study investigated the relationship between patellar height, quantified using the modified Insall-Salvati (IS) index measured on preoperative mediolateral radiographs, and the presence of concurrent medial meniscal tears in dogs diagnosed with cranial cruciate ligament tears (CCLTs). A total of 229 stifles were evaluated, with meniscal status confirmed via craniomedial stifle mini-arthrotomy. Abnormal modified IS index values were identified in 12.6% of stifles (29/229). Among stifles with abnormal IS index values, 44.8% had concurrent medial meniscal tears, compared to only 24.5% of stifles with normal IS index values. After adjusting for confounding variables, dogs with abnormal patellar height had approximately three times the odds of having a medial meniscal tear (OR 3.0; 95% CI, 1.2–7.3) relative to dogs with normal patellar height. Notably, the distribution of complete versus partial CCLT did not differ significantly between the normal and abnormal IS index groups, suggesting that patellar height provides independent predictive value beyond ligament tear completeness. These findings indicate that routine preoperative measurement of the modified IS index using standard radiographs may serve as a clinically accessible tool to stratify patients by meniscal tear risk. This information can guide surgical planning, influence the decision for more thorough intraoperative meniscal evaluation, and support more informed client communication regarding prognosis and potential complications associated with CCLT management.

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