Cruciate Ligament Injury in Dogs: The Most Common Knee Injury
Cruciate ligament tears are one of the most common orthopedic injuries in dogs. Learn about the signs, treatment, and recovery.
Cranial cruciate ligament CCL stifle commonly —— similar to ACL tear suddenly rupture gradually degenerate over timeWithout leads to Surgery usually
- overweight dogs higher
- hind leg
- Surgery usually recommended for best outcome
- Weight management reduces aids recovery
- 50% 2
Cruciate ligament preventing tibia sliding partially completely unstable causing swelling ligamentmeniscus cartilage pad damagedOver timesevere unstable
CCL Tear
Hind leg —— running yelp hold leg up may swollen bear weight on legPartial tears causing intermittentmilder Over timeaffected thigh muscle wasting noticeableVet 'drawer test' instability
Surgery recommended especially active Most common procedures TPLO tibial plateau leveling osteotomy TTA tibial tuberosity advancement biomechanics so ligament Recovery 8-12 restricted activityConservative restweight lossphysical therapymay for small dogs dogs undergo
Recovery
Maintaining healthy weight ——overweight dogs significantly higherAvoid high-impact activities on hard surfacesStrengthen leg muscles through controlled exercisestrict rest physical therapy best outcome essentialKeep dog lean
- Hind leg
- Swollen
- bear weight
- Intermittent hind leg
- dog yelped limping
- thigh muscle wasting
RVC imaging cruciate ligament TPLO/TTA procedures recovery rehabilitation +853 6677 6611
+853 6677 6611