Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair

A common knee injury that pets can experience is a torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), which is similar to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in humans. Inside the knee, two cruciate ligaments cross over each other — the cranial cruciate ligament and the caudal cruciate ligament. If your pet tears the cranial ligament, their tibia or shin bone will slide forward to their femur or thigh bone.

When this happens, they will find it difficult to walk. Along with this condition causing pain and lameness, the resulting cartilage damage can eventually cause osteoarthritis.

Here at Foothills Pet Healthcare Clinic, we have a team ready to provide patients with cruciate ligament surgery to help them find relief from their pain and achieve a better quality of life.

Which Pets Are Candidates for Veterinary Cruciate Surgery?

Your pet could be dealing with a torn cranial cruciate ligament resulting from either excessive force or regular wear and tear. Regardless of the cause, though, obesity does often contribute to a dog or cat’s chances of rupturing their CCL. That’s because weight can add excessive strain on the ligament, weakening it and predisposing it to injury.

Any pet suffering from a cranial cruciate ligament tear can be considered a candidate for surgery, especially if they are an active or large breed. Surgery helps stabilize their joint, which can relieve pain in the affected area. Surgery can also help alleviate pressure on the other leg, as your pet most likely transferred most of their weight there to compensate for the injury. 

Most pets with this injury are also considered good candidates because surgery can reduce permanent, irreversible joint damage and decrease the rate of arthritic changes in the future. 

How Does the Cruciate Ligament Procedure Work?

Various surgical procedures can repair a torn cruciate ligament — Tibial-Plateau-Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO), Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA) or Extracapsular (Lateral) Suture Stabilization (ELSS).

Each surgical procedure is unique. For example, ELSS stabilizes the joint outside the joint capsule, whereas TPLO focuses more on leveling the tibia to keep the femur from sliding forward. 

Your surgeon can assess the patient’s condition and help you figure out which procedure is best for them.

What Are the Expected Outcomes of This Procedure?

Cranial cruciate ligament repair for your dog or cat can relieve pain and reduce the chances they’ll suffer from irreversible joint damage. While this is the expected outcome following the procedure, keep in mind that once your pet ruptures one cranial cruciate ligament, they are at an increased risk for rupturing their other one.

To help with both healing and preventing future cranial cruciate ligament ruptures, follow-up treatments and therapy sessions are recommended. Making sure your pet maintains a healthy body score condition and participates in regular physical therapy sessions can encourage a smooth recovery process. 

Why Trust Foothills Pet Healthcare Clinic to Handle Your Pet’s Cruciate Ligament Surgery?

When you bring your dog or cat into our clinic, no matter which knee surgery they need, you can always expect:

• Comprehensive veterinary services
• Compassionate care in a comforting environment
• Treatments that stay within your comfort zone and budget
• Detailed medical records and a take-home physical exam

Schedule an Appointment Today to Learn More About Our Animal Cruciate Ligament Surgery

At Foothills Pet Healthcare Clinic, we accept patients within a 60-mile radius of our clinic in Mount Airy, North Carolina. We founded our practice on the belief that every pet is unique, and we continue to uphold this belief today. Whenever you bring your dog or cat in, you can always expect our team to listen carefully to your needs and deliver individualized solutions.

We encourage you to stop by so we can help you determine if veterinary cruciate surgery is the best course of action for your pet. Call us at 336-789-0009 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your appointment. During your consultation, you’ll meet with one of our experienced veterinarians who will assess the patient’s needs and develop a personalized plan.