title: Evaluation of an intra-articular synthetic ligament for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs: a six-month prospective clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluate the short-term outcomes of a novel synthetic ligament for treatment of naturally occurring canine cranial cruciate ligament disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs with unilateral cranial cruciate ligament disease (n = 50).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patient parameters evaluated included a five-point lameness score, evaluation of craniocaudal stifle instability, and radiographic findings over 24 weeks. Any postoperative complications were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-four out of 42 dogs experienced significant improvements in lameness between the preoperative and 24 week time points. Lameness scores in those dogs improved significantly at all measured time intervals after postoperative week 2. Recurrence of stifle instability increased significantly over the study period from immediate postoperative measurements. Cranial drawer recurred in seven out of 42 of dogs by week 4 and 18/42 by week 24. Implant changes were not noted between the immediate and six-month postoperative radiographs except where complications occurred. Overall, 25 dogs experienced a total of 32 complications (22 major and 10 minor). Sixteen dogs had major complications, and nine had minor complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The procedure was generally effective at improving lameness scores, but did not consistently maintain postoperative stifle stability and had an unacceptably high complication rate. This synthetic ligament procedure cannot be recommended for use in its current form.
authors.affiliation: Matthew D. Barnhart, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS, MedVet Medical & Cancer Centers, 300 E. Wilson Bridge Rd, Worthington, OH 43085, United States, E-mail: mbarnhart@medvetforpets.com.
authors.forename: Matthew D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Barnhart
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maritato
authors.forename: Kemal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schankereli
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wotton
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naber
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000662:veterinary*; D011859:Radiography / Q000662:veterinary; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary
keywords: Cranial cruciate ligament; canine; dog; intra-articular; ligament; synthetic ligament