Cruciate Ligament Tear/Rupture

Standard Repair Techniques – Nylon De Angelis

Advanced Cruciate Ligament Surgery – TTA  (Tibial Tuberosity Advancement),

                                                           TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy)

CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RUPTURE is a common condition in medium to large breed dogs, where the ligament is partially or fully torn causing instability in the knee joint, resulting in pain, lameness and severe arthritis. When this ligament is damaged it often injures the cartilage/meniscus of the stifle as well.

Standard Older techniques involve placing a surgical nylon to mimic the ligament on the outside of the joint (De Angelis technique). Later this loosens and the scar tissue holds the joint stable.

Many studies have shown the more complex TTA & TPLO surgeries to be superior to these older techniques. Both minimize progression of Osteoarthritis later on in life. In the last few years the newer TTA surgery technique has demonstrated similar surgical outcomes regarding forces in the leg as to the TPLO, with the advantage of a faster recovery and return to function.

Both TTA & TPLO aim to place the tibial plateau perpendicular to the patella tendon, so neutralizing cranial tibial thrust and the shearing forces in the stifle, and thereby removing the forces & need for a cruciate ligament.

The most commonly recommended and performed surgery at the CCVetCentre for cruciate rupture is the TTA.

This surgery requires particular cuts in the tibia & insertion of Titanium screws, plates & spacer cages to alter the knee forces. This is completed with a bone graft. Concurrent meniscal damage, fracture or patella luxations can be corrected at the same time.

Many factors can contribute to the type of surgery recommended to correct a ruptured cruciate ligament. For your individual pet, reasons our vets may prefer one method over the other can include growth plate closure (age of young pet), a larger tibial plateau angle & torsional defects (toes turning in or out) etc. Our vets will help tailor the options for best recovery for your pet.

The advanced Orthopaedic Team at the CCVet Centre has experience in dealing with complex fractures and procedures and a number of vets on the team have been performing the latest TTA surgical technique for Cruciate Ligament Repair.