Caudal cruciate ligament damage in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the incidence of caudal cruciate ligament (CaCL) damage in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR).


METHODS
Prospective clinical study.


METHODS
Dogs (n=24) admitted for surgical stabilization of the stifle after CCLR and 8 healthy dogs with intact cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) and CaCL studied as controls.


METHODS
Preoperative radiographs and stifle joint images (arthrotomy, 6; arthroscopy, 18) were collected from dogs with CCLR. Severity of arthritis, synovitis, CCL damage, and CaCL damage were assessed using numerical rating scales. The CaCL was probed to determine whether minor fraying or a full thickness defect in the ligament was present. Data collected from the study population were compared with the control population of dogs.


RESULTS
The CaCL was damaged in 21/24 (88%) of dogs with CCLR; 6/24 (25%) had a full thickness defect in the CaCL. Severity of stifle synovitis and severity of damage to the CaCL were positively correlated (P<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The CaCL is damaged in a high percentage of dogs with CCLR. A significant and positive correlation exists between the degree of synovitis present and the extent of CaCL damage.


CONCLUSIONS
In dogs with CCLR, cruciate ligament pathology typically involves both the CCL and CaCL. As the severity of synovitis and the extent of CaCL damage are related, this observation supports the hypothesis that stifle synovitis may contribute to CCL and CaCL degeneration and subsequent damage.
Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison, WI, USA.
Julia P
JP
Sumner
Mark D
MD
Markel
Peter
P
Muir
D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D016119:Posterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012421:Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D013264:Stifle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D013585:Synovitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*