The 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. Read the rest of this entry »
Sep 09, 2008 | | Tightrope Repair, lateral suture, Surgical Procedures, Surgical Options, Symptoms
In dogs, the cruciate ligament tends to undergo degenerative changes that weaken it prior to rupturing. This very different from ACL injuries in people, where rupture is often associated with a traumatic injury as a result of an accident or incident while taking part in activities like skiing or playing football. While the human ACL and canine CCL are analogous with regard to function, this fundamental difference in onset of injury helps to explain why treatment options in dogs are quite different to those in people.
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Jun 17, 2008 | | CCL Risk Factors, Anatomy, Symptoms
Cranial cruciate ligament tears and ruptures can happen to any dog (or cat for that matter, although it is not nearly as common), but there are certain risk factors that make particular breeds of dogs more susceptible to this type of damage. CCL injuries are one of the most common orthopedic injuries in dogs, and is the most common cause of degenerative joint diseases in the stifle joint, like arthritis. While there is no way any dog can completely avoid their risk of CCL injury, there are a number of risk factors owners should be aware of, especially if they suspect their dog may have injured their stifle (knee). Read the rest of this entry »
Jun 05, 2008 | | CCL Risk Factors, Weight Management, Symptoms
No two dogs are alike when it comes to knee injuries. Some dogs will display many of the knee injury symptoms listed below, while others will only have intermittent lameness. Lameness in canines can have many causes, some of which are not directly leg related, and it is important for your dog to be evaluated by a veterinarian for any cases of unexplained lameness in any limb. Examining the way in which your dog was injured, if it can be determined, will play an important role in diagnosing a possible canine cruciate ligament tear or rupture. Careful evaluation of the symptoms, along with any diagnostic testing done by your pet’s doctor, will determine whether conservative management or surgery is indicated. Read the rest of this entry »
Apr 19, 2008 | | Symptoms
The 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. Read the rest of this entry »
