What is cruciate disease?
Cruciate disease is very common in dogs. It is a disorder of the knee joint, where one of the ligaments that join the tibia and the femur (the cranial ligament) ruptures. A complete or partial rupture of the cranial ligament leads to joint instability, lameness, pain and arthritis. If left untreated, it can drastically affect your dog’s mobility and quality of life.
How does it rupture?
It generally happens as a result of gradual weakening overtime, rather than like in humans when it usually occurs due to a sudden unnatural knee movement (such as playing a rough game of footy). This is why in dogs, we commonly see it in larger dogs, that have more weight on their knee joints, or obese dogs. Some other factors can play a part, such as genetics, the shape of their femur and tibias, and some endocrine diseases, such as Cushings. Once there is a partial tear, a complete tear usually isn’t far away, as the degenerative nature of the disorder takes hold. It’s common, therefore, that both hind legs will be affected.
What are the signs?
A cruciate rupture is often presented as your dog’s hind leg up off the ground, putting no weight on it. It may occur suddenly, or gradually increase in severity. Usually the underlying disease is well underway before this obvious sign is shown. We often see dogs sit with their hind leg out to the side, indicating that it is uncomfortable to bend their knee.
How do we diagnose?
A physical examination and manipulation of the knee joint is how we diagnose the tear. We will test the stability of the joint, which is often done under a light sedation to ensure complete stillness of the patient. Radiographs may be necessary, as even though the ligament itself can’t be seen on radiographs, arthritic changes to the bone around the joint, and soft tissue changes may be seen.
How do we repair the cruciate ligament?
Cruciate ligament surgery is recommended. The ligament can never regrow or repair, and the knee joint will remain unstable if not corrected. There are varied techniques on the repair of the cruciate ligament; some use a synthetic band outside the joint to mimic the action of the ligament, and others alter the geometry of the knee, to allow it to function successfully without a ligament. We can perform a version of both at our clinic. Our vets will discuss with you the best option based on your pet’s breed, weight, and other factors.
What’s involved in the procedure?
After diagnosis, we will admit your pet to our hospital in the morning of the surgery, place them on intravenous fluid, run diagnostic testing for the anaesthetic, and provide them with an anesthetic sedation to relax them before the procedure. We will perform radiographs to identify the positioning of the repair (depending on the type of technique), and place them under a general anaesthetic to go into theatre. The operation takes a few hours, as well as anaesthetic recovery, and they are often ready to go before our closing time at 6pm, for a calm, restful night at home. From there, it is strict rest for 6 weeks, to allow the joint to heal, in which we will see your pet weekly for anti-inflammatory joint injections and check ups. We usually see a near 100% recovery in joint function after 8 weeks. Unfortunately after cruciate disease and surgery, some degree of arthritis is inevitable.
Why choose Fletcher Vet?
Dr. Paul, our head orthopaedic vet and practice owner, has extensive experience in cruciate repair surgeries. He has been performing these operations for over 15 years, refining and perfecting his technique. He has a reputation in Newcastle for his honest, trusted, affordable, and quality work; making the process from the initial consultation to the surgery and follow-ups, stress-free and reassuring. Our newly renovated and custom-built theatre room and hospital will ensure your pet is comfortable and in the best hands. If you suspect your pet may need a cruciate repair operation, or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We would love to help.
(feature image taken by veterinary nurse Gaby)
