Cruciate ligament rupture

What is a cruciate ligament rupture?

The cruciate ligament is a ligament in the knee joint that connects the tibia and femur bones. It stabilizes the joint and prevents the shin from sliding forward. A cruciate ligament rupture means that the ligament is completely or partially torn.

How does a cruciate ligament rupture occur?

A torn cruciate ligament can be caused by various things. For example:

• Due to a sudden accident, such as a fall, a jump or a collision
• Chronic overloading, which leads to weakening and degeneration of the ligament
• Due to a congenital malalignment or disease of the knee joint that leads to increased strain on the ligament

How is a cruciate ligament rupture diagnosed?

If you suspect that your dog has a torn cruciate ligament, you should take him to the vet as soon as possible. The vet will examine your dog's knee joint and look for signs of pain, swelling and instability. He will also perform various tests to assess the mobility and function of the joint. For example:

• The drawer test: The vet will hold the femur and try to push the tibia forward. If the tibia can be moved easily, this indicates a cruciate ligament rupture.
• The tibial compression test: The vet flexes your dog's knee joint and presses on the tibia. If the tibia slides forward, this indicates a cruciate ligament rupture.

To confirm the diagnosis and assess the degree of injury, the vet may also take an X-ray or ultrasound scan of the knee joint.

How is a torn cruciate ligament treated?

The treatment of a cruciate ligament rupture depends on various factors, such as your dog's age, weight, activity level and state of health. There are two main options: conservative or surgical treatment.

Conservative treatment

Conservative treatment means that your dog will not need surgery. Instead, he will be treated with medication for pain and inflammation and will have to take it easy. This means that he is only allowed to go for short walks on a lead and is not allowed to climb or jump stairs. Your dog may also wear a splint or brace to support the knee joint.

Conservative treatment may be sufficient for some dogs to recover from a cruciate ligament rupture. However, there is a risk that the knee joint will remain unstable and osteoarthritis will develop. This option is therefore more suitable for small, lightweight or older dogs.

Surgical treatment

Surgical treatment means that your dog will need an operation to stabilize the knee joint. There are various surgical methods that can be used depending on the case. For example:

• Extracapsular stabilization: the vet places an artificial ligament around the knee joint to replace the torn cruciate ligament.
• Tibial plateau realignment: the vet changes the shape of the tibial plateau to reduce the load on the knee joint.
• Tibial plateau leveling: The veterinarian changes the inclination of the tibial plateau to reduce the load on the knee joint.

Surgical treatment can increase your dog's chances of recovery and reduce the risk of osteoarthritis. However, this option is more expensive, riskier and requires a longer recovery time. Therefore, this option is more suitable for large, heavy or active dogs.

How can you help your dog recover?

Whether your dog receives conservative or surgical treatment, you can help them recover faster and better. Here are some tips you can follow:

• Follow your veterinarian's instructions regarding your dog's medication, wound care and aftercare.
• Stick to your dog's prescribed rest program and avoid overexerting or stressing him.
• Check your dog's weight regularly and feed him a balanced and healthy diet.
• Support your dog's physiotherapy with gentle massages, stretching exercises and passive movements of the knee joint.
• Encourage your dog's mental stimulation with toys, chew toys and short training sessions.