title: Owner Evaluation of a CORA-Based Leveling Osteotomy for Treatment of Cranial Cruciate Ligament Injury in Dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate a center of rotation of angulation (CORA)-based leveling osteotomy for cranial cruciate ligament injury in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs (n=70).
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records (March 2011 to March 2012) of dogs diagnosed with a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injury treated with a CORA-based leveling osteotomy and stabilized using a bone plate and headless compression screw were reviewed. Radiographs were reviewed for tibial plateau angle and radiographic healing at final evaluation graded on a 5-point scale. Follow-up for a minimum of 6 months postoperatively was conducted by owner completion of a questionnaire regarding their dog's function after surgery. Based on owner responses, clinical outcomes were established.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CORA-based leveling osteotomy was used for 70 stifles with CCL injury. The mean time to final radiographic recheck was 107 days (range, 32-424 days). Radiographic healing scores were 42 dogs (69%) with grade 4, 17 dogs (28%) with grade 3, and 2 dogs (3%) with grade 2. The mean time to follow-up was 11.9 months (range 6-18 months). Fifty-four of the 70 (77%) dogs had full function, 13 (19%) had acceptable function, and 3 (4%) had unacceptable function. Complications occurred in 11 stifles (16%), including 3 incisional, 6 late-onset meniscal tears, and 2 implant related.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The described method of a CORA-based leveling osteotomy can be successfully performed for treatment of CCL injury in dogs. At the time of mid-term and long-term owner follow-up, most dogs in this case series had returned to full function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.
authors.forename: Erin N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Kishi
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.
authors.forename: Don
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hulse
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000662:veterinary; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000662:veterinary; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000662:veterinary; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013264:Stifle / Q000601:surgery; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing