Geometric Analysis of the Proximal Medullary Cavity of the Femur in the German Shepherd Dog

Dimensions of reamed cavities of forty-one cadaver femora of German Shepherd dogs were measured with a system of silicone imprinting and 3D laser reflectometry. Data were processed statistically according to a geometric model with seven parameters. Correlations between parameters and body mass were moderately significant for three parameters and not significant for the others. Distributions of the geometric parameters were calculated and implications with respect to prosthesis design are discussed. A comparison with geometric parameters obtained from radiographs was made and the significance of the differences is discussed. Finally, a comparison with the geometric parameters of the medullary cavity of the human femur is made.