No abstract

A biomechanical analysis of the results of an over‐the‐top procedure for replacement of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) in the dog is presented. Using 15 adult mongrel dogs, the CCL in one stifle joint was reconstructed using fascia lata and the lateral one‐third of the patellar ligament. The opposite CCL served as the control. Animals were sacrificed at 0, 4, 12 and 26 weeks postoperation and axial failure tests were performed. Stiffness, maximum load, and elastic modulus of the replacement increased over time, while elongation to maximum load continually decreased as compared to controls. Other parameters showed less consistent trends. The results are encouraging given the reduction in joint laxity and the increases in tissue stiffness and strength. However, the ligament substitute was still unable to replicate the mechanical properties of the normal cruciate ligament. Longer studies therefore are required to determine if this replacement is capable of completely restoring joint stability and normal function.

Endoscopic-assisted foraminotomy could be used to improve intraoperative visualization in dogs with foraminal stenosis as a component of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis.

Objective-To assess the effect of 9 mm tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) on cranial tibial translation (CTT) in cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) deficient canine stifles.Study Design-In vitro cadaveric study. Animals-Twelve canine pelvic limbs.Methods-Each stifle was placed in a jig at 135° with a simulated quadriceps force and tibial axial force, and the distance of CTT was measured with the CCL intact (iCCL), transected (tCCL), and after performing a TTA using a 9 mm cage. In addition, a material testing machine was used to assess the force required to elicit CTT in each scenario.Results-The mean CTT for iCCL was 0.42 mm, 1.58 mm after severing the CCL, and 1.06 mm post TTA. The tCCL CTT measured without any quadriceps force was 2.59 mm. Differences between the intact and tCCL (p<0.0001) and tCCL and TTA (p=0.0003) were significant. The difference between the tCCL with and without the quadriceps force was not significant (p=0.0597). The force required to cause CTT was greater in the TTA than the tCCL up to 6mm (p<0.0001). As axial load increased, the force required to advance the tibia increased in both treatment groups (p value for overall weight effect =0.0002). Conclusions-

Following an “over‐the‐top” reconstruction of the cranial cruciate ligament using fascia lata and the lateral one‐third of the patellar ligament, joint instability was measured using an in vitro laxity testing device. Cranlocaudal drawer increased between zero and four weeks, then returned to initial values at 26 weeks.