Q: What Happens When a Cruciate Ligament Tears?

A: When a cruciate ligament tears, the dog experiences sudden pain and often holds his leg up. The dog may put the leg down and start using the leg again within a day or so, but will continue to limp for several weeks. Normally, at the end of several weeks, the initial pain subsides and the dog is willing to use its leg more; however, the joint will stay unstable. Longer term, when your dog puts his weight on the leg, the tibia (shin bone) slides forward in relationship to the femur (thigh bone). As you can imagine, this can be painful as the joint cartilage wears down, leading to arthritis. This motion can also put excessive stress on the menisci (C shaped pieces of cartilage within the knee joint), causing damage or tearing. Not a fun place for Max to be.

Q: Why did my dog rupture this ligament?

A: Although this is the most common orthopedic injury in dogs, it is still not completely understood why this ligament ruptures. Many theories have been proposed. Certainly, trauma can cause the ligament to rupture - this is the most common reason for ligament rupture in humans. In dogs, however, this does not seem to be the most important cause. It is known that some dogs have excessive Tibial Plateau Angles (TPA), but research has shown that this, by itself, is not enough to cause the ligament to rupture. Some researchers think that under normal circumstances, the muscles of the knee joint are the main forces that control movements and that the cruciate ligaments are there as a safety factor to prevent excessive motion in certain directions. If there is a defect in this muscular control, as is postulated by these researchers, then the cruciate ligaments will be under more continuous stress than in a normal dog, which will lead to their deterioration. Indeed, most of the ruptured ligaments that we see are not sudden ruptures. Instead, they are partial ruptures that lead to full ruptures. In most cases when the joint is opened, even in a “fresh rupture”, there is obvious evidence that there has been ongoing arthritis in the joint, indicating abnormal movement (and wear and tear) for a prolonged period of time. This previous deterioration is what ultimately leads to the final rupture of the cruciate ligament.

Q: Why does my dog need surgery?

A: Unfortunately, if your dog ruptures the Cranial Cruciate Ligament, surgery is the only real option. When the ligament is torn, there is a shearing force that results when your dog tries to bear weight on the leg. This shearing force makes the femur slide backwards on the surface of the tibial plateau. This abnormal movement sets up excessive wear and tear on the cartilage surface, which induces further arthritic change in the joint. Additionally, this abnormal motion frequently damages the cartilage pads in the joint, known as the menisci. Damaged menisci also lead to further arthritic change. Many dogs develop such severe arthritis that there leg is in constant pain. Pain is certainly not what we want for our pets!

Q: Why do different surgeons recommend different procedures?

A: For many years, various surgeons have been proposed different procedures to repair a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament. Several procedures have fallen by the wayside as they have been shown to be inferior to newer procedures. As the researchers have analyzed follow up data, it has been shown that certain procedures are not as good as they initially were thought to be. This is a normal event in medicine (both human and veterinary). This does not mean that the surgeries proposed 20 years ago, or even 5 years ago, were wrong. It simply means that as good surgeons, we are constantly striving to present what we feel (at the time) to be the best alternatives available.

Q: What surgeries are currently being done for Torn ACL?

A: The four most common techniques done today in Veterinary Practices:

1. The extracapsular suture (MRIT)

2. Tightrope CCL

3. Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO).

4. Tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA)

There are some commonalities between these techniques. All strive to achieve stability of the stifle joint. Keys to having a successful outcome with any of these techniques are:

• Case selection

• Knowledge of anatomic landmarks used for the technique

• Knowledge and proper application of the technique

• Appropriate postoperative and home care

• Appropriate rehabilitation

Potential complications that can be seen with any of these techniques include: Infection (incisional or implant related)

• Failure of repair

• Persistent instability

• Implant Failure

• Progression of arthritis

• Ongoing Lameness

Q: What is the lateral suture procedure (MRIT) for stabilization of an ACL tear in the dog?

A: The lateral suture procedure involves using suture material to replace the torn ligament in a different position that where it normally is. Although it mimics the function of the original ligament, it does not have the same biomechanical properties as the ligament, thus the knee is not capable of performing like it originally did. Some of the normal range of motion is lost. Eventually, this temporary ligament will also eventually break. The theory is that your dog will build up scar tissue around the temporary ligament in the knee to act as a long-term stabilizer. This scar tissue will result in decreased range of motion of your pet's knee long term.

Q: What Tightrope CCL Procedure for Torn ACL?

A: The Tight Rope Procedure is a variation of the lateral suture procedure. The artificial ligament that is used is VERY strong, but it has the disadvantage of being a braided material. All braided materials have the unfortunate risk of harboring bacteria.

If contamination occurs during the surgical procedure, the resulting infection can be a major disaster.

Q: What is the TPLO procedure?

A: TPLO stands for tibial plateau leveling osteotomy. In the normal knee, the top of the tibia slants at a backwards angle. This allows the femur to slide backwards down this tibial slope. It is this sliding that causes the pain once the ligament tears. TPLO removes this backwards slant of the tibia and stabilizes the knee. Removal of this slant of the tibia changes the way the quadriceps muscle pulls on the tibia and allows

the muscle to assume the job of the torn ACL.

Q: What is the TTA procedure?

A: TTA stands for tibial tuberosity advancement. The procedure involves moving the patellar tendon attachment on the tibia forward which allows the quadriceps muscle to assume the normal job of the torn ACL by pulling forwards on the tibia to oppose the torn ACL.

Q: What are the advantage and disadvantage of the TTA Procedure?

A: The TTA or Tibial Tuberosity Advancement Procedure is based on the research that the Patellar Ligament can stabilize the joint if it is at a 90-degree angle to the Tibial Plateau. The Patellar Ligament is one of the toughest ligaments in the body, and it is completely controlled by one of the biggest muscles in the body, the quadriceps muscle on the front of the leg. By advancing the Tibial Tuberosity, we can overcome the abnormal front to back motion called Tibial Thrust, and tend to overcome the tendency for Pivot Shift. Current thought is that this procedure leads to less arthritic change in the joint. This procedure can be successfully done on any size dog, and is currently the treatment of choice by many surgeons.

Q: Why do some surgeons continue to do TPLO surgeries when the TTA has been shown to be a better procedure?

A: There are several answers to this question, First, it is not universally accepted that one procedure is better than another. It appears that the TTA procedure will be the best procedure available, but we will know for sure twenty years from now! The second reason is the surgery requires the purchase of very specialized equipment, and consequently, a fair amount of investment has been made on the part of the surgeon. It is quite hard to give up a procedure that you have invested time and money in. A third reason is that most of the TPLO surgeons report “good” results. The fact the TTA research looks better than the TPLO does not mean that the TPLO surgery is wrong. Similarly, surgeons doing many of the older procedures for cruciate repair also reported good results. As I have mentioned, twenty years from now the results will be more evident.

A: Is the TTA procedure only for large breed dogs?

B: The TTA procedure can be successfully performed on almost any size dog. Implants are made for dogs as small as 10 lbs to dogs over 120 lbs.

Q: I have been told that my dog may have the same problem later on in the opposite leg. Is this true?

A: The statistics tell us that 35-40% of the dogs will suffer rupture of the cruciate ligament in the opposite leg. It is probable that the underlying arthritic change that led to the first rupture has already started in the opposite leg.

Q: What can I do to lower the chance that my dog will need surgery in the opposite leg?

A: To avoid this, restrict exercise during recovery, work on the rehabilitation, and reduce your pet's weight.

Q: What is the "best" surgery for a torn ACL in the canine?

A: There is no one best surgery. What is important to remember is that NO surgical procedure will completely heal the dog. Treatment of ACL injury in the dog is a lifelong process, involving rehabilitation, nutrition (weight control), and chronic/intermittent use of pain control medications and/or nutraceutical products. Dogs that have had TPLO or TTA surgery can and often do have intermittent periods of stiffness and lameness for the rest of their lives because no procedure can stop and/or reversing the osteoarthritis that is present in the knee. Ligament, muscle, and scar tissue strain in the knee are an infrequent problem for the rest of your dogs' life. Despite our best efforts, some dogs never return to their pre-injury athletic status due to the chronicity of the initial injury to their leg.

Q: Why do veterinarians recommend one surgical procedure over another?

A: Many veterinarians are confident at performing the lateral suture procedure for your dog. Complications are more easily dealt with compared with TTA or TPLO, and the TTA or TPLO can be used to replace the lateral suture if something should go wrong. TTA and TPLO are better at more closely restoring the normal biomechanics of the canine knee. A veterinarian will tend to recommend the procedure they are most comfortable with, and have the most success with.

Q: Why is my doctor NOT recommending a TTA over the TPLO?

A: TPLO is only indicated over TTA if your dog has a steep tibial plateau angle (the top of the tibia) or if your dog has crooked legs There are no other reasons to perform TPLO over TTA except for comfort in performing (or recommending) one procedure over the other for the doctor. Many doctors do not understand the TTA yet.

Q: Why is my doctor NOT recommending a TTA over the TPLO?

A: TPLO is only indicated over TTA if your dog has a steep tibial plateau angle (the top of the tibia) or if your dog has crooked legs There are no other reasons to perform TPLO over TTA except for comfort in performing (or recommending) one procedure over the other for the doctor. Many doctors do not understand the TTA yet.

Q: My dog recently had a TTA done, and now the leg is swollen a lot. What should I do?

A: The swelling is usually located just past the surgery site. This is usually due to extensive bleeding from the bone grafting site in the tibia to fill the grafted area. This can be avoided by using a bone graft from somewhere else in the body, or by using a synthetic product such as Velocity(R). If you see this swelling, make sure your pet stays off the leg as much as possible for a few days, and that you ice the leg 3-4 times a day for the next week. The swelling will go away. If it gets to be too much, it could cause the incision to swell.

Q: My vet told me my pet has a "torn ACL" and that it should have a TPLO done. What are my options?

A: Not all dogs require TPLO to restore knee function. Dogs weighing less than 40 pounds may have a different technique, often referred to as a "lateral suture technique", that will work equally well. This technique is not for overweight dogs. The recovery is slower but most dogs of this size achieve almost normal function in the limb. This procedure does not work as well in larger dogs. It is important that if you are going to pursue the lateral suture technique that these sutures be placed in an isometric position, and ideally, attached using bone tunnels. Your pet may also be a very good candidate for the TTA procedure.

Q: When would you pick TPLO over TTA?

A: Dogs with excessive tibial plateau angles over 30 degrees, Client request or expectation, Show dog (TTA MAY show some deformity compared with the normal leg) or Angular limb deformities should have TPLO performed instead of TTA.

Q: What are the advantages of TTA over TPLO?

A:

• The TTA is less invasive but does not address dogs with very steep tibial plateau angles or very large/very small dogs)

• The TTA is the newest surgical procedure for management of cranial cruciate deficiency in the dog.

  TPLO is more common than TTA

  but TTA was only released into clinical practice in 2005 while TPLO has been around since the 1990's.

• Cost is variable by clinic but comparable between TTA and TPLO.

• The biggest difference between the two procedures is that TTA moves the tibial tuberosity cranially to help use the quadriceps to neutralize cranial tibial thrust. TPLO undercuts the joint surface and rotates it so that thrust is neutralized. Because of the cut and the dissection, the TPLO is more invasive that the TTA, so patients that have a TTA tend to be more comfortable more quickly. TPLO causes increases in the forces within the knee, permanent loss of some range of motion, pivot shift due to more muscle dissection, and the knee is more difficult to extend for the patient after surgery.

• TTA is quicker, easier to perform, and in the right hands there are very few complications

• It is too early to tell the long-term outcome from the TTA but so far it looks promising.

Q: My dog has bad hips and a torn ACL. Should I proceed with surgery?

A: Absolutely. The hips are rarely the cause of acute limping. If the ACLs are torn, your pet is only going to get worse.

Q: How do you compare different techniques for surgical repair of Torn Cruciate?

A:

Q: Do you offer free surgical consultation for Anterior Cruciate Surgery?

A: Yes, we do!

Q: What Happens When We Don't Fix a Torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)?

A: The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is a very important ligament in the knee. ACL tears are the most common problems surgeons fix in dogs. Once the ACL tears, all kinds of consequences follow.

Let’s go over 10 possible consequences of an untreated ACL rupture.

1. Patients with any joint problems, such as a torn ACL or a dislocated knee cap, are classically in pain. Of course, pain medications tend to help and may even eliminate limping, but they do not fix the tear. As time goes by, pain may decrease to some degree, but it stills hurts, especially once arthritis sets in.

2. The older the injury, the more arthritis we see in the joint. And there is no cure for arthritis, it is a life-long condition. There is no such thing as “arthritis medication,” despite what many pet owners seem to believe. We can help with joint supplements, but we can’t fix arthritis.

3. Without surgery, the body tries to stabilize the wobbly knee with scar tissue. Unfortunately, this is hardly ever strong enough to keep the knee stable.

4. This scar tissue limits range of motion. The more scar tissue, the stiffer the joint — the dog or cat cannot bend or extend the knee all the way.

5. Not using the leg classically leads to various degrees of muscle loss (muscle atrophy).

6. It’s tough to run around with a sore knee, whether you’re a family pet, a couch potato or a working dog. This leads to exercise intolerance as the conditions above worsen.

7. When the ACL tears in one knee, weight shifting and other factors may lead to a tear in the opposite leg. While this may be manageable in a small breed such as a Yorkie or a miniature poodle, it becomes a much bigger problem for a large breed dog such as a Labrador or a Rottweiler.

8. Up to half of dogs with an ACL tear end up with a tear of the meniscus, which is an important piece of cartilage in the knee. That tear causes more pain and more of the consequences above.

9. Many of the above changes lead to decreased activity, which typically causes weight gain.

10. The changes in gait and posture can affect all three other limbs, as well as the spine. Ten consequences of an untreated, torn, ACL are bad enough, but it gets worse! Several vicious cycles set in after the ACL tears. For example, pain leads to lameness, which leads to poor use of the leg, which leads to muscle atrophy. Inactivity leads to weight gain, which leads to more pressure on the joints, which leads to pain.

From a surgeon’s standpoint, an ACL tear is a very fixable problem.

Sure, it is possible to survive with a torn ACL. Sadly, it may be the only option if you absolutely cannot afford surgery. However, if you can afford surgery, it will dramatically improve your dog’s (or cat’s) quality of life.

If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian -- they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.

Kelly Serfas, a Certified Veterinary Technician contributed to this article