Cruciate Ligament Injury
and Knee Surgery
Understanding Cruciate Ligament Injuries
Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injury is one of the most common causes of hindlimb lameness in dogs. The cranial cruciate ligament is an important stabilising structure within the knee (stifle). When it becomes damaged or ruptures, the knee becomes unstable, resulting in pain, inflammation and progressive arthritis. At Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital, we have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating cruciate ligament disease. We offer a range of treatment options, including TPLO surgery performed in-house.
Signs of Cruciate Ligament Injury
Dogs with cruciate ligament disease may show:-
Sudden or intermittent hindlimb lameness
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Reduced weight bearing on the affected leg
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Difficulty rising after rest
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Reluctance to run, jump or climb stairs
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Sitting with the affected leg held out to the side
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Stiffness after exercise
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Reduced activity
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Muscle loss in the affected leg
The following video explains how the cruciate ligament works and what happens when it becomes damaged.
Diagnosing a Cruciate Ligament Injury
Diagnosis begins with a thorough orthopaedic examination.
We assess the knee for pain, swelling and instability, and examine the remainder of the hindlimb to exclude other causes of lameness.
Not every hindlimb lameness is caused by a torn cruciate ligament. It is important to examine the whole leg and consider other possible causes.
Radiographs are usually recommended to assess the knee for arthritis and other abnormalities and to assist with surgical planning.
Sedation is often required to properly assess the stability of a painful or tense knee and to obtain correctly positioned radiographs.
Does Every Dog Need Surgery?
Some dogs, particularly smaller or less active dogs with partial ligament injuries, may be managed successfully without surgery.
However, dogs with significant knee instability, particularly medium and larger dogs, generally have better prospects for comfortable long-term function following appropriate surgical stabilisation.
An unstable knee is more likely to remain painful, function poorly and develop progressive arthritis.
The best treatment depends on several factors, including:
- Your dog’s size and weight
- Age and activity level
- Degree of knee instability
- Whether the ligament is partially or completely ruptured
- Presence of meniscal injury
- Amount of existing arthritis
- Other orthopaedic or medical conditions
We will discuss the available options and recommend the treatment most appropriate for your individual dog.
TPLO Surgery
TPLO (Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy) is our principal surgical technique for many dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture.
Rather than replacing the damaged ligament, TPLO changes the biomechanics of the knee so that it remains functionally stable during weight bearing.
TPLO surgery is performed in-house at Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital by Dr John Ley BVSc MANZCVS (Small Animal Surgery), who has a particular interest in orthopaedic and cruciate ligament surgery.
For more information about the procedure, recovery and costs, visit our dedicated TPLO Surgery for Dogs page.
Other Treatment Options
Depending on your dog’s size, age, anatomy, activity level and individual circumstances, other surgical techniques or non-surgical management may be considered.
Physiotherapy and structured rehabilitation can also be valuable components of treatment, both following surgery and in dogs managed without surgery.
We work with experienced canine physiotherapists in our local area, including:
Our aim is to recommend the most appropriate treatment for each patient rather than applying the same procedure to every dog.
Meniscal Injury
The menisci are cartilage structures within the knee that help distribute load and contribute to normal joint function.When the knee becomes unstable following cruciate ligament injury, the meniscus can also become damaged. This can contribute significantly to pain and lameness.
During surgery, the meniscus may be assessed directly for injury. If a damaged or unstable portion is identified, the affected tissue can be removed while preserving as much healthy meniscus as possible.
Recovery Following Cruciate Surgery
Recovery and rehabilitation are important parts of successful knee surgery.
Following surgery, exercise is initially restricted and then gradually increased as healing progresses.
We provide owners with a structured home rehabilitation program and monitor each dog’s recovery through scheduled postoperative examinations.
For procedures involving bone healing, such as TPLO, follow-up radiographs are performed before unrestricted activity is resumed.
Professional canine physiotherapy can also be beneficial, particularly for dogs with significant muscle loss, prolonged lameness or those requiring additional assistance with rehabilitation.
Long-Term Outlook
Most dogs undergoing appropriate treatment for cruciate ligament disease achieve a very good return to comfortable activity.
Some degree of arthritis is common following cruciate ligament injury, particularly when the condition has been present for some time.
Surgery cannot reverse arthritis that is already present. Its aim is to stabilise the knee, improve comfortable function and reduce the ongoing effects of joint instability.
Maintaining a healthy body weight and following a controlled rehabilitation program are important for achieving the best long-term outcome.
Does Your Dog Have a Sore Knee?
If your dog is limping, has been diagnosed with a cruciate ligament injury, or you would like another opinion about treatment options, contact Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital to arrange an orthopaedic assessment.
We can examine your dog, discuss the available treatment options and determine whether TPLO or another approach is most appropriate.
Got any questions about our Knee Surgery services?
Reach out to the friendly reception team at Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital and they’ll aim to respond to you within 24 hours.
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