Effect of surgical technique on limb function after surgery for rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the outcome and effect of surgical technique on limb function after surgery for rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (RCCL) and injury to the medial meniscus in Labrador Retrievers.


METHODS
Prospective clinical study.


METHODS
131 Labrador Retrievers with unilateral RCCL and injury to the medial meniscus and 17 clinically normal Labrador Retrievers.


METHODS
Affected dogs had partial or complete medial meniscectomy and lateral suture stabilization (LSS), intracapsular stabilization (ICS), or tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). Limb function was measured before surgery and 2 and 6 months after surgery. Treated dogs were evaluated to determine the probability that they could be differentiated from clinically normal dogs and tested to determine the likelihood that they achieved improvement.


RESULTS
No difference was found between LSS or TPLO groups, but dogs treated with ICS had significantly lower ground reaction forces at 2 and 6 months. Compared with clinically normal dogs only, 14.9% of LSS-, 15% of ICS-, and 10.9% of TPLO-treated dogs had normal limb function. Improvement was seen in only 15% of dogs treated via ICS, 34% treated via TPLO, and 40% treated via LSS.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgical technique can influence limb function after surgery. Labrador Retrievers treated via LSS, ICS, or TPLO for repair for of RCCL and medial meniscal injury managed with partial or complete meniscectomy infrequently achieve normal function. Results of LSS and TPLO are similar and superior to ICS.
Conzemius
Michael G
MG
Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50010, USA.
Evans
Richard B
RB
Besancon
M Faulkner
MF
Gordon
Wanda J
WJ
Horstman
Christopher L
CL
Hoefle
William D
WD
Nieves
Mary Ann
MA
Wagner
Stanley D
SD
D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005552:Forelimb / Q000502:physiology*; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000502:physiology*; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000662:veterinary; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013977:Tibia / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D016896:Treatment Outcome