CCL TEARS AND REPAIRS
by R.H. Henderson DVM: Eastside Animal Health Clinic
Having made the case for the luxating patella, there is a more serious consequence that occurs if the knee is left unstable. Rupture of the Cranial Cruciate Ligament is a very common and expected result of a pet with an out of place knee cap. The instability leaves the knee open to stress it was not intended to endure.
The area between the femur and the tibia is the knee joint space. In this space are two very strong ligaments that cross each other. These are the Cruciate (cross) ligaments. There is the caudal and the cranial ligament. Sometimes in humans the cranial is referred to as the Anterior Cruciate Ligament. Often you hear of athletes that tear their Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL tear). The primary job of these ligaments is to hold the surfaces that form the knee joint in proper alignment through the range of motion of the joint. Along with other ligaments and tendons, and the joint, they are responsible for keeping the knee from falling apart.
The usual cause of a CCL tear is a twisting injury. The tibia is planted stationary and the femur rotates at such an angle that it will tear the ligament or pull if from the bone.
The repairs are varied and expensive. Over the years a variety of repairs have been implemented and tested. To date, the most common and economical is the extra capsular suture repair which tends to use a large suture to mimic the CCL. It is place on the outside of the capsule.
Other more expensive procedures of late are the Tibial Plateau Leveling Operation (TPLO), and Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA). TPLO and the TLO procedures involve the rearrangement of the upper portion of the tibia. At the present time all of the orthopedic surgeons who I have communicated with recommend the tibia plateau leveling astronomy (TPLO) procedure for dogs weighing over 100 lbs.
Here are a few facts to remember:
• Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) rupture is the most common orthopedic problem in dogs.
• Canine ACL rupture almost always leads to progressive osteoarthritis and is almost always debilitating if left untreated.
• The diagnosis of ACL rupture ranges from simple to complex and the repair can be complex depending upon your pet.
Pet Health Tips and information provided by:
Eastside Animal Health Center
9600 Rogers Ave
Fort Smith, AR 72903
479-452-5700
R.H. Henderson DVM
L.M. Lynch DVM
L.C. France DVM
Have a question for Dr. Henderson? Send it to us at contact@fortsmithmoms.com