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Cornell Study: Dogs Offer Insights on ACL Injury

Researchers at Cornell University have discovered that the same protein builds up in the joints of dogs and humans following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The study, published on April 18 in the Journal of Orthopedic Research, suggests that using dogs as a model for ACL injury and subsequent post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) could help improve our understanding of these conditions.

The findings point to the potential of naturally occurring cases of ACL injury in dogs to inform human medicine. Dogs share many aspects of daily life with people, including similar physical activity and environmental exposures, making them a useful model for studying the disease processes.

ACL injuries are particularly common among young athletes, with a higher incidence in females, and they can lead to the early onset of PTOA. Current treatments mainly focus on alleviating symptoms instead of preventing or stopping the progression of the disease.

The study indicates that further research using naturally occurring disease models in dogs may lead to advancements in treatment strategies for both dogs and people suffering from ACL injuries.

Source: Cornell University

Source Type: College

Source Location: Ithaca

Apr 21, 2025 at 2:37 PM

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