title: Long-term outcome of surgery for dogs with cranial cruciate ligament deficiency.
abstract: Fifty-eight dogs with cranial cruciate ligament deficiency were assessed and treated surgically. At an average of 50 months postoperatively, the functional outcome was assessed by means of an owner-based clinical assessment and a clinical examination. Client-based data were available for 26 dogs and 20 dogs were reassessed after 50 months. The results were compared with the initial values and with data from an assessment 13 months postoperatively. The level of disability at 50 months was judged to be significantly less than initially. However, there were no differences between the initial assessments and those made after 50 months for the perceived 'effect of cold weather' and the dogs' 'ability to jump', despite both measures having improved after 13 months. Age and meniscal injury were identified as poor prognostic indicators for the long-term outcome. The equivalent joint on the contralateral limb deteriorated significantly during the study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Innes
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bacon
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lynch
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pollard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000175:diagnosis; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013264:Stifle / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome