References
Tibial tuberosity advancement as a treatment option for cranial cruciate ligament disease
Abstract
Tibial tuberosity advancement as a treatment option for cranial cruciate ligament disease was developed and introduced in 2002. Since then, several different implants have been developed to improve the technique and reduce the complication rate. Studies into the outcomes of this procedure report a lower rate of both minor and major complications and good to excellent overall function (outcome and lameness) in more than 90% of dogs, as reported by the owners. Tibial tuberosity advancement is a procedure comparable with alternate osteotomy methods of cranial cruciate ligament repair with expected good to excellent functional outcome in a variety of dogs with proper case selection. Dogs with a distal patellar ligament insertion point, an excessive tibial plateau angle and angular and/or torsional limb deformities may be more suited for other surgical techniques.
Cranial cruciate ligament disease is one of the most common causes of hindlimb lameness in dogs (Harasen, 2003; 2008; Roush, 2013; Dyall and Schmökel, 2017; Kowaleski et al, 2018). The condition is described as a degenerative and progressive weakening of the ligament, and the pathology behind the degeneration is not yet fully understood (Kowaleski et al, 2018). Several risk factors have been described in the development of cranial cruciate ligament disease, including breed predisposition, obesity and gender/neutering status, with neutered females of large breeds being over-represented (Vasseur et al, 1985). Studies have also found a correlation between a high tibial plateau angle and the development of cranial cruciate ligament disease (Macias et al, 2002; Cosenza et al, 2015). However, studies by Witte (2015) and Vedrine et al (2013) did not show such a correlation, signifying the unlikeliness of a high tibial plateau angle as the sole causative factor for cranial cruciate ligament rupture in small-breed dogs.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting UK-VET Companion Animal and reading some of our peer-reviewed content for veterinary professionals. To continue reading this article, please register today.