ACLInfo

The most commonly diagnosed cause of lameness in the canine is ligamentous instability of the anterior cruciate ligament. The ACL, as in man, is an important stabilizing structure in the knee. This is the same injury that many human athletes sustain and results in the necessity for surgical intervention. The disease affects all breeds and sizes but is more debilitating in large breed patients. Athletic as well as sedentary patients are affected but the underlying cause may be different. Lameness results from instability, inflammation and pain in the knee. This lameness is as an acute non-weight bearing lameness in patients with complete unilateral tears. Patients with bilateral rupture or partial rupture often present with weight bearing lameness. As with any disease involving a joint the long term enemy is osteoarthritis.

The canine knee as the human knee functions as a hinge joint that is stabilized by a variety of ligaments and other soft tissue structures. The two cruciate ligaments are in the middle of the joint. They cross forming an "X" when viewed from the side. This explains the derivation of cruciate from the root crucifix. The partner to the anterior cruciate is called the posterior cruciate. The ACL is by far the most important clinically. Another structure commonly involved in the pathology of ACL rupture include the medial meniscus. The meniscus is a concave cups of fibrocartilage in which the rounded ends of the femur rest. This structure must be assessed and treated as well.

Treatment of ACL rupture involves surgical intervention, medical management, nutrition and physical therapy. There are many surgical procedures for repair or stabilization of the canine knee. In general Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy offers the best results. (See TPLO) Other techniques may offer satisfactory results and may be considered in the context of the patient's overall needs. In small dogs extracapsular stabilization is commonly utilized with good results. These procedures include placement of an implant that mimics the function of the ACL and imbrication or tightening of the tissues surrounding the joint.



				The most commonly diagnosed cause of lameness in the canine is ligamentous instability of the anterior cruciate ligament. The ACL, as in man, is an important stabilizing structure in the knee. This is the same injury that many human athletes sustain and results in the necessity for surgical intervention. The disease affects all breeds and sizes but is more debilitating in large breed patients. Athletic as well as sedentary patients are affected but the underlying cause may be different. Lameness results from instability, inflammation and pain in the knee. This lameness is as an acute non-weight bearing lameness in patients with complete unilateral tears. Patients with bilateral rupture or partial rupture often present with weight bearing lameness. As with any disease involving a joint the long term enemy is osteoarthritis. The canine knee as the human knee functions as a hinge joint that is stabilized by a variety of ligaments and other soft tissue structures. The two cruciate ligaments are in the middle of the joint. They cross forming an "X" when viewed from the side. This explains the derivation of cruciate from the root crucifix. The partner to the anterior cruciate is called the posterior cruciate. The ACL is by far the most important clinically. Another structure commonly involved in the pathology of ACL rupture include the medial meniscus. The meniscus is a concave cups of fibrocartilage in which the rounded ends of the femur rest. This structure must be assessed and treated as well. Treatment of ACL rupture involves surgical intervention, medical management, nutrition and physical therapy. There are many surgical procedures for repair or stabilization of the canine knee. In general Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy offers the best results. (See TPLO) Other techniques may offer satisfactory results and may be considered in the context of the patient's overall needs. In small dogs extracapsular stabilization is commonly utilized with good results. These procedures include placement of an implant that mimics the function of the ACL and imbrication or tightening of the tissues surrounding the joint.
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