Dogs with injuries to their CCLs are among the most common orthopaedic cases that veterinarians treat. This ailment may greatly affect a dog’s movement and quality of life, just as an ACL rupture in a human. It’s important for both pet owners and veterinary experts to comprehend the nature of cranial cruciate ligament injuries in dogs as well as their causes, symptoms, and available treatments.
The cranial cruciate ligament in dogs is essential for maintaining stability in the knee joint, which is also referred to as the stifle joint. This ligament restricts the tibia’s internal rotation and keeps the shin bone from sliding forward in relation to the thigh bone, or femur. Dogs that suffer injury or rupture to their cranial cruciate ligament may have discomfort, lameness, and even long-term degenerative changes to their knee.
Dogs may get damage to their CCL for a variety of reasons. The majority of occurrences in dogs are linked to a progressive degradation of the ligament over time, however acute trauma, such as a quick twisting of the knee, can cause the ligament to rupture. A number of variables, including age, breed predisposition, obesity, and anomalies in conformation, might affect this deterioration. Certain breeds appear to be more susceptible to having problems with the cranial cruciate ligament, such as Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, and Newfoundlands.
Early management following a dog’s cranial cruciate ligament damage depends on identifying its symptoms. Common symptoms include a hind leg limp or lameness, trouble getting up from a sitting posture, hesitation to leap or climb stairs, and a discernible reduction in activity level. Dogs may occasionally show signs of “toe-touching” lameness, in which the afflicted limb is seldom used at all. It’s crucial to remember that the degree of symptoms associated with cranial cruciate ligament injuries in dogs can vary from partial rips to total ruptures.
In dogs, the diagnosis of a cranial cruciate ligament damage usually entails a physical examination along with imaging methods. In order to determine if the dog’s knee joint is stable, veterinarians will analyse the dog’s stride, examine the afflicted limb thoroughly, and maybe perform special tests like the cranial drawer test or the tibial compression test. X-rays are frequently used to evaluate the degree of arthritis present in the joint and rule out other possible reasons of lameness. In certain instances, more sophisticated imaging methods like as arthroscopy or MRI could be used to assess the joint components in greater detail.
Treatment options for a canine cranial cruciate ligament injury can be roughly classified into two categories: surgical intervention and conservative care. The size and activity level of the dog, the extent of the injury, the existence of any other medical conditions, and the owner’s financial situation all influence the treatment plan selection.
Conservative treatment for canine cranial cruciate ligament injuries usually consists of pain medication, physical therapy, weight control, and rest. Smaller dogs, elderly dogs, or dogs with partial ligament rips may benefit from this method. The body can create scar tissue around the joint through rest and limited exercise, which may offer some stability. Maintaining a healthy weight is essential since being overweight strains the already damaged joint more. Maintaining muscle mass and enhancing joint function can be achieved by physical therapy, which includes hydrotherapy and regulated workouts. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) and other analgesics are frequently used in pain management to keep dogs comfortable while they recuperate.
Surgical surgery is frequently advised for canine cranial cruciate ligament injuries, even if conservative therapy may be helpful in certain circumstances. This is especially true for larger, more active dogs or those whose ligament ruptures are complete. Dogs with cranial cruciate ligament injuries can now be treated surgically using a variety of methods, each with unique benefits and drawbacks.
Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) is one of the most often used surgical techniques for treating canine CCL injuries. By altering the knee joint’s biomechanics, this treatment essentially removes the necessity for the cranial cruciate ligament by cutting and twisting the tibial plateau. Excellent long-term outcomes have been demonstrated by the TPLO in many dogs, especially bigger and more active breeds.
Tibial tuberosity advancement is another surgical option for canine cranial cruciate ligament injuries (TTA). The patellar tendon’s angle with respect to the tibial plateau is altered by this technique, which entails cutting and advancing the tibial tuberosity. Similar to the TPLO, the TTA seeks to modify the knee’s biomechanics to offer stability independent of the injured cruciate ligament.
Another method for treating canine cranial cruciate ligament injuries is extracapsular repair procedures, sometimes referred to as lateral suture stabilisation. In order to simulate the function of the cranial cruciate ligament, this procedure entails putting a strong suture material outside the joint capsule. Compared to osteotomy treatments like TPLO or TTA, this approach often has a greater failure probability in larger, more active dogs, while it may be appropriate for smaller dogs or those with partial rips.
The efficacy of cranial cruciate ligament therapy in dogs depends on post-operative care and rehabilitation, regardless of the surgical approach used. A few weeks of supervised relaxation are usually spent during the recuperation phase, after which a gradual return to regular activities takes place. In order to assist restore normal gait patterns, increase joint range of motion, and develop muscular strength, physical therapy is essential to the rehabilitation process.
Regenerative medicine techniques have garnered attention as a potential treatment for canine cruciate ligament injuries in recent years. Injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy are being investigated as possible therapies to encourage healing and lessen inflammation in the injured joint. Even though these treatments seem promising, additional investigation is required to completely comprehend how well they work to treat canine cranial cruciate ligament injuries.
It is difficult to prevent cranial cruciate ligament injuries in dogs since the problem is complex. But keeping a healthy weight, exercising often to maintain strong muscles, and avoiding high-impact activities on slick surfaces can all help lower the risk. Although there isn’t enough evidence to say that glucosamine and chondroitin-containing joint supplements can prevent CCL injuries, several vets nevertheless advise using them to promote general joint health.
It is important to remember that dogs who have had an injury to their CCL in one knee are more likely to have an injury to the same ligament in the other knee. The changed biomechanics and greater strain on the unaffected limb throughout the healing process are partially to blame for this. Pet owners should be on the lookout for any indications of lameness or discomfort in the opposing limb and should get in touch with a veterinarian right once if they have any concerns.