title: Evaluation of a transcondylar toggle system for stabilization of the cranial cruciate deficient stifle in small dogs and cats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate use of a transcondylar toggle system (TCTS) for stabilization of the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) deficient stifle in small dogs and cats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Small dogs (<7 kg; n=14) and cats (2) with CrCL-associated lameness of <3 months duration and a tibial plateau angle <32 degrees.
  
  
  METHODS
  Affected animals had an extracapsular CrCL repair using the TCTS. Lameness score, muscle atrophy, osteoarthritis (OA) score, and range of motion (ROM) were evaluated preoperatively, and at 6 weeks and 7-10 months postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Operative time was 75 +/- 16 minutes. Fifty-six percent required >1 bone tunnel attempts. One dog required revision at 2 weeks because of suture loosening. All stifles were stable at 6 weeks postoperatively. Fifteen animals were available for follow-up (7-10 months). Lameness improved significantly at 6 weeks (P<.0001), whereas muscle atrophy was worse at 6 weeks (P=.008) but improved at 7-10 months (P<.0001). OA scores were unchanged at 6 weeks (P=.08) but were significantly worse at 7-10 months (P<.0001). ROM remained unchanged at 6 weeks (P=1) and 7-10 months (P=.6).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The medially placed toggle provides a reliable short-term proximal anchor for the extracapsular suture with outcomes similar to other extracapsular techniques. The aiming device and drill bit are not recommended in their current form.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The TCTS appears to be a well-tolerated technique for proximal suture anchoring in extracapsular CrCL repair in small dogs and cats where instrumentation and anatomic constraints preclude other techniques.
authors.affiliation: South Carolina Veterinary Specialists, Columbia, SC 29210, USA. karkdvm@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Kevin A R
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kunkel
authors.forename: R Randy
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Basinger
authors.forename: Jonathan T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Suber
authors.forename: Patrick D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Gerard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery; D002415:Cats / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D010329:Patella / Q000601:surgery; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013264:Stifle / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome