title: Radiographic localization and isometry of the origin and insertion of the canine cranial cruciate ligament.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To radiographically define the anatomic origin and insertion of the cranial cruciate ligament translated to the lateral radiographic projection of the stifle (CrCL-Lo and CrCL-Li, respectively), to correlate these landmarks for identification of the CrCL-Lo intraoperatively, and to compare the isometry of the CrCL-Lo to the lateral fabella.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pelvic limbs (n = 12) from dogs weighing 13-26 kg.
  
  
  METHODS
  A radiographic quadrant method was used to localize the CrCL-Lo. Mediolateral radiographic projections of each stifle were taken through a range of motion. Maximum percent change in length between each tibial marker and femoral marker during range of motion determined isometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CrCL-Lo is located at the caudal 33% and distal 50% of the lateral femoral condyle using Blumensaat's line or a line from the origin of the long digital extensor (LDE) to the lateral fabella, with no significant difference (P = .766) between the 2 reference lines. The CrCL-Li is located at the proximal 20% of the tibial plateau. No significant difference (P < .05) in isometry was found between the CrCL-Lo and lateral fabella.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The CrCL-Lo is located at the caudal 1/3 and distal ½ of the lateral femoral condyle. The CrCL-Lo and lateral fabella are not significantly different in isometry when used as a proximal anchor point in extracapsular stifle stabilization.
authors.affiliation: VCA Animal Specialty Center of South Carolina, Columbia, SC.
authors.forename: Erin E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Reichert
authors.forename: Kevin A R
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kunkel
authors.forename: Jonathan T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Suber
authors.forename: R Randy
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Basinger
authors.forename: Patrick D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Gerard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D004285:Dogs / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D011859:Radiography; D013264:Stifle / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*