Tightrope CCL Procedure

Tightrope CCL ProcedureThe Tightrope CCL repair surgery is the newest surgical option available for dogs with cranial cruciate ligament injury.  Unlike in humans, canine CCL tears and damage generally takes place over a period of months or years, rather than being associated with a single traumatic event.  Because of the nature of these injuries, and their degenerative process over time, this new procedure focuses on a technique used in human ankle joints using bone to bone fixation in a minimally invasive way.

Tightrope CCL is an extracapsular technique using the lateral suture stabilization procedure in conjunction with a material called FiberTape to provide bone to bone stabilization.  The Fiber Tape is placed in the dog’s knee through a few small incisions which create tunnels through the bone.  Once the implant is anchored to the bone it is able to control cranial tibial thrust, and provide correction for the canine drawer sign, all while allowing internal rotation of the knee joint and normal range of motion.

This procedure is substantially less invasive than other canine knee repair surgeries, especially TTA and TPLO, which involve the cutting and repositioning of bone.  The Tightrope CCL is also easier to perform than these other procedures, making the risk for complications and infection substantially lower.  The Tightrope CCL has been shown to be very cost effective when compared with TTA, TPLO, and even traditional repairs, and the estimated cost is $1000 less than a TTA or TPLO.  Dogs that were involved in the clinical trial for Tightrope CC, “experienced fewer and less severe complications with outcomes that were equal to or better than those seen with the bone-cutting technique.”

The cases of failure in the study were related to incidences of not properly following guidelines related to physical therapy in the post operative period.  A recovery period of 10-12 weeks is recommended for all dogs recovering from CCL repair surgery, and this is the same guideline used for the Tightrope surgery.

Right now this surgery is still in the clinical phases, but with such encouraging preliminary results, I expect to see much more on this procedure in the very near future.

Share This
Sep 09, 2008 | | Tightrope Repair, lateral suture, Surgical Procedures, Surgical Options, Symptoms

6 Responses to “Tightrope CCL Procedure”

  1. Tim Wilkins Says:
    October 17th, 2008 at 10:37 am

    Where can I find a Vet that is doing TightRope CCL? I live near Raleigh, NC. Or a vet that is doing LSS. I trying to find an something other than TPLO for my Dog.

    Thanks,

  2. lisa koury Says:
    October 21st, 2008 at 11:20 am

    I am also interested in finding a vet that does the tightrope. My dog needs cruciate ligament repair and plan to go with a TTA procedure but this sounds much less invasive. I live in Norhtern New Jersey and will travel anywhere in NJ, NY, or PA. I also would like the name of a vet in my area.

  3. Rick Says:
    October 24th, 2008 at 12:21 pm

    ANy vets in the Southwest (Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas?) who perform this TightRope CCL procedure??

  4. donni Says:
    October 25th, 2008 at 10:53 am

    There are vets all over who do this. I am going to University of Florida to see if my dog qualifies for this procedure. Vet Colleges are doing them. Also, I called the company who supplies the materials for this procedure. They cannot give you a list of people who perform the procedure BUT they can give you a list of people in your area who buy the material. The people who buy the material ARE the people who perform the surgery.

  5. Alyssa Says:
    November 11th, 2008 at 8:42 am

    Has anyone had any experiance with the Tight Rope CCL procedure and what were the outcomes. How can I find a vet that will preform this procedure?

  6. Evelyn Says:
    November 29th, 2008 at 8:21 pm

    My dog has torn both cruciate ligaments and my vet recommended TPLO surgery. After researching about the TPLO procedure, I discovered the Tightrope CCL techinique. I like that is much less invasive than the TPLO and TTA. There isn’t much info on the web, but here is what I have found thus far.

    The Tightrope is made by Arthrex Vet Systems. You can call them and ask the operator who they supply the product to in your area. The lady I spoke to was very nice and willing to give you info. The number for Arthrex is (888) 215- 3740. They also have a great brocure about the product and the Tightrope CCl procedure at this site: http://www.arthrexvetsystems.com/en/products/index.cfm Also, I emailed the Vet that invented the procedure, Dr. James Cook, and he gladly responded with a large list of vets that performed the procedure in my area. He teaches at the University of Missouri. Look up the vet school website and look under the faculty profiles. Click on his name and his email will be listed.

    After calling a few vets in my area that perform the procedure, I have learned that their experience with performing the procedure varies. This procedure is being taught to many vets, so depending on how long ago your vet was taught, experience in performing the procedure will range from a few to a few dozen. Hope this info helps.

Leave a Reply

Close
E-mail It