May 30th, 2008
Does My Dog Need a Meniscus?
When there is a joint injury like a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture, it is important for the vet to try to preserve the menisci to the greatest extent possible. Loss of all or part of a stifle’s meniscus has the potential to accelerate the breakdown of articular cartilage with resultant DJD (Degenerative Joint Disease). [...]
May 30th, 2008
What is a Meniscus?
It is common for dogs with cranial cruciate ligament damage to also have injury to the mensicus. Simply put, the meniscus is a secondary structure in the knee that helps to provide lubrication for the joint, while also functioning in shock absorption and weight bearing. The menisci (plural for meniscus) are pads between [...]
May 1st, 2008
TTA Surgical Procedure
TTA is the abbreviation for tibial tuberosity advancement. The TTA is among the newer techniques for cranial cruciate ligament repair of the canine stifle, making its appearance roughly 10 years ago. The TTA technique was developed in 2002 at the University of Zurich, and, biomechanically speaking, the procedure is very similar to the TPLO, [...]
Apr 30th, 2008
Extracapsular CCL Repair Complications
For both humans and animals alike, any surgical procedure carries a risk of complications. You dog should have a full evaluation done, complete with blood work and other baseline testing, prior to surgery to help minimize any risks. Pre-surgical testing can often diminish the risk of death from anesthesia and other preventable complications related [...]
Apr 30th, 2008
Extracapsular Imbrication Surgery, Traditional Repair Procedure
In the extracapsular imbrication, also known as the traditional method and lateral fabellar surgery, your dog will have a strong leader line placed within the knee to provide stabilization. Some veterinarians will only perform this procedure on small dogs and cats, while others will use the technique on dogs of all sizes. There [...]
Apr 26th, 2008
Anatomy of the Cranial Cruciate Ligament
The cranial cruciate ligament, or CCL, in canines is analogous to anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, in humans. The CCL is the main supporting ligament within a dog’s knee, or stifle. This ligament bears the weight of a majority of the stifle’s load, which is why instability of the CCL results in lameness, [...]
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