title: Comparison of lateral fabellar suture and tibial plateau leveling osteotomy techniques for treatment of dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare 1-year outcomes after lateral fabellar suture stabilization (LFS) and tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) for the treatment of dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized blinded controlled clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  80 dogs with naturally occurring unilateral cranial cruciate ligament disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  All dogs were randomly assigned to undergo LFS (n = 40) or TPLO (40). Clinical data collected included age, weight, body condition score, history information, stifle joint instability, radiographic findings, surgical findings, and complications. Outcome measures were determined prior to surgery and at 6 and 12 weeks and 6 and 12 months after surgery, including values of pressure platform gait analysis variables, Canine Brief Pain Inventory scores, owner satisfaction ratings, thigh circumference, and stifle joint goniometry values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Signalment and data for possible confounding variables were similar between groups. Peak vertical force of affected hind limbs at a walk and trot was 5% to 11% higher for dogs in the TPLO group versus those in the LFS group during the 12 months after surgery. Canine Brief Pain Inventory, goniometry, and thigh circumference results indicated dogs in both groups improved after surgery, but significant differences between groups were not detected. Owner satisfaction ratings at 12 months after surgery were significantly different between groups; 93% and 75% of owners of dogs in the TPLO and LFS groups indicated a satisfaction score ≥ 9 (scale, 1 to 10), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Kinematic and owner satisfaction results indicated dogs that underwent TPLO had better outcomes than those that underwent LFS.
authors: Wisconsin Veterinary Referral Center, 360 Bluemound Rd, Waukesha, WI 53188, USA. wgordonevans@gmail.com
authors: Wanda J
authors: WJ
authors: Gordon-Evans
authors: Dominique J
authors: DJ
authors: Griffon
authors: Carrie
authors: C
authors: Bubb
authors: Kim M
authors: KM
authors: Knap
authors: Meghan
authors: M
authors: Sullivan
authors: Richard B
authors: RB
authors: Evans
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000662:veterinary*; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*