Cranial cruciate ligament rupture is one of the most common orthopedic injuries in the dog. The primary cause of rupture is degeneration of the ligament and rarely just trauma. Many dogs that tear one cruciate ligament will tear the other within 1 to 2 years of the first injury.
The tibial plateau leveling osteotomy is chosen by most surgeons for large breed active dogs. This choice is made over concerns for larger heavier dogs damaging an extra- capsular repair resulting in chronic lameness. Many also believe that dogs receiving a TPLO return to function sooner. Another reason to choose this procedure is for dogs with bilateral disease to get them walking as soon as possible. There is no evidence that choosing a TPLO over another procedure will result in less osteoarthritis.
This is one of the newest stabilization procedure in veterinary medicine. As with the TPLO the TTA is chosen for larger breed, very active dogs. Early results are very positive. These patients are returning to function more quickly than the extra-capsular repair patients. A surgeon would choose this procedure for the same reasons as the TPLO.
This is the newest and I feel most exciting advancement to the lateral suture or MRIT procedure in veterinary medicine. The TightRope is an implant utilized in lieu of monofilament nylon for stabilization of the cranial cruciate deficient stifle. It is much less invasive than the TPLO and TTA and can in many instances provide the same outcome.