An in vitro study to determine the effectiveness of a patellar ligament/fascia lata graft and new tibial suture anchor points for extracapsular stabilization of the cranial cruciate ligament-deficient stifle in the dog.
OBJECTIVE
(1) To determine whether an extracapsular patellar ligament/fascia lata graft would provide stability in the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)-deficient stifle comparable with that of the intact stifle. (2) To determine if different tibial anchor points would enhance stability of the CrCLdeficient stifle when compared with the standard fabellar-tibial suture (FTS) placement.


METHODS
Experimental.


METHODS
Twenty-eight canine cadaver hind limbs.


METHODS
Stifles were mounted in a jig and tested between loads of -65 and 80 N. After testing the intact CrCL, 4 stabilization techniques were tested after CrCL transection: lateral graft technique (LGT) and 3 FTS with different tibial anchor points.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences in displacement between the LGT and standard FTS, between the LGT and the intact CrCL, or between the FTS and the intact CrCL, in either the Securos or the Screw-washer experiments. Stiffness of the intact CrCL was significantly greater than that of any stabilization technique and the cut CrCL. The standard FTS showed the least displacement of all suture stabilization techniques. Differences in stiffness were not significant between the suture stabilization techniques.


CONCLUSIONS
Securely anchored, the LGT results in a reduction in drawer motion similar to that of the intact CrCL and the standard FTS. Altering the tibial anchor point for the FTS does not improve stiffness or enhance stabilization of the CrCL-deficient stifle.


CONCLUSIONS
The LGT could be used for the treatment of CrCL ruptures in the dog. A clinical study is recommended.
Harper
Tisha A M
TA
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA. trinigirl62@hotmail.com
Martin
Robert A
RA
Ward
Daniel L
DL
Grant
J Wallace
JW
D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005206:Fascia Lata / Q000601:surgery*; D017847:Patellar Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D013264:Stifle / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000662:veterinary*; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome