Arthroscopic Findings Following Experimental Cranial Cruciate Ligament Desmotomy in Dog

Abstract

Objective- Using the arthroscopic surgery technique for experimental transection of cranial cruciate ligament and arthroscopic findings of stifle joint following ligament transection. Design- Experimental study. Animals- Five healthy mixed breed dogs. Procedures- Five dogs (mean weight 27±3 kg, mean age 3 years) selected to study the stifle joint changes after experimental cranial cruciate ligament desmotomy. The cranial cruciate ligament of the one stifle joint was transected via arthroscopy in all dogs under general anesthesia. One month after cranial cruciate ligament desmotomy the arthroscopic examination of the joints was performed again. Lateral and antrioposterior radiography were also carried out before transected of the ligament and one month after ligament surgery just before second arthroscopy. Results- All dogs had various degree of lameness during the study and showed inflammatory changes in the joint. In all animals arthroscopic observation showed various degrees of the articular cartilage damage and meniscal injuries. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance- According to the results of present study, the cranial cruciate ligament is vital to normal function and rupture of this ligament result s in progressive and permanent degenerative changes within the joint.