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Cranial Cruciate Repair:
TPLO, BCLO, Extra-Capsular Repair
Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) Disease
There are two cruciate ligaments inside of the stifle (knee), the cranial cruciate ligament and the caudal cruciate ligament. These two ligaments cross over each other inside the knee.
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The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is an important stabilizer of the stifle (knee) joint that is similar to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in humans. The three main functions of the CCL are to prevent hyperextension of the stifle, prevent internal rotation of the tibia (shin bone), and most importantly to prevent thrust or subluxation of the tibia in relation to the femur (thigh bone). Rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is the most common orthopedic disease we see in dogs. Once the CCL is ruptured or torn, it leaves the stifle (knee) unstable and causes the tibia to slide forward from the femur (hip bone). The easiest way to picture what is happening is to think of the CCL as a parking brake, the top of the tibia as a mountain, and the end of the femur as the car. Once the CCL is torn we lose the parking brake, and the car is able to slide down the mountain. If it tears it can be extremely painful, and further the degree of osteoarthritis (OA).
How does a CCL Rupture Occur?
Typically, when humans tear an ACL its after a traumatic event such as down hill skiing or playing back yard football. Unfortunately, in dogs the CCL begins to weaken at a young age; therefore, CCL rupture is considered a degenerative condition in dogs. Often times small to no trauma is noted when a dog tears his/her CCL. At the present time we don’t know what causes the ligament to weaken. Multiple theories have been proposed such as underlying genetics, obesity, gender, immune-mediated disease, infection, etc. We do know that the underlying causes are likely multifactorial.
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Often times there is no known trauma that occurred when a dog ruptures his/her CCL. The common history is that the dog was out for a walk and started limping, chased a rabbit and came back limping, or even was let out to go potty and came back limping. Commonly right after the rupture a cry may be heard and many dogs are non-weight bearing on the affected limb (for complete tears) or may be limping (for partial tears). After a few days the inflammatory response tends to lessen and it may appear as though they are getting better.
How we Diagnose CCL Injuries
The ultimate diagnosis of a ruptured CCL is from an orthopedic exam and history; not radiographs (x-rays). At presentation dogs may only have a slight lameness or be completely non-weight bearing. Upon palpation of the affected limb excessive fluid (joint effusion) may be palpated. When the stifle is hyperextended often times dogs will be painful.
Direct identification of a torn CCL is diagnosed from two orthopedic exam techniques: cranial drawer and cranial tibial thrust. With the cranial drawer test the surgeon is placing their hands on the femur and tibia. The goal is to try to move the tibia cranially (forward) in relation to the femur to check for instability. It is important that this is completed with the stifle both flexed and extended to decide between a partial tear and a complete tear. The cranial tibial thrust test is a passive test that “mimics” what is occurring when the dog is walking. Essentially, the surgeon holds the stifle at a walking angle and the hock (ankle) is flexed. If the CCL is torn then we will see cranial translation of the tibia in relation to the femur.
In most cases these tests are enough to diagnose the problem. However, radiographs are always indicated to rule out other concurring problems, evaluate the amount of joint effusion, surgical planning, and to gauge the degree of OA present.
Choosing the Right Treatment
When dealing with a CCL rupture, it is important to make a treatment decision as soon as possible.
It is important to understand that no matter what is done there will be arthritic changes in the joint after a CCL rupture. The goals of surgery are to stabilize the stifle, but also to slow down and minimize the progression of OA. Typically, there are two options for treatment: conservative management and surgical management.
Conservative management is typically only reserved for patients for patients that can’t undergo surgery due to various reasons. For conservative management of a CCL rupture, a custom fitted stifle brace may be recommended. It should be realized that a stifle brace is only suitable for those patients that can't undergo surgery, not to replace surgery. The body will try to stabilize the stifle by developing scar tissue across the femur and tibia on the inside of the knee. This scar tissue will never be as strong as the CCL, and with each step the scar tissue is broken down so the body lays more scar tissue down. Unfortunately, in patients that continue to have an unstable stifle, OA (Osteoarthritis) tends to progress more rapidly.
Surgical management is typically always recommended to have a quicker return to function while minimizing progression of OA. Treatment begins with a minimally invasive arthroscopic procedure (small camera inserted into the stifle) to confirm the degree of tear (partial vs. complete, evaluate the meniscus, and determine the degree of OA present. There are various surgical procedures, but our surgeons typically only recommend the tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). Previous surgical methods such as the lateral suture (aka extracapsular repair) have fallen out of favor due the persistent instability noted after surgery in both small and large dogs. Also, the lateral suture is not the same as the TightRope® procedure, which has been noted to be a misinterpretation. Two of the most common procedures that surgeons will typically recommend are the TPLO and the tibial tuberosity transposition (TTA). Both procedures have demonstrated adequacy; however, our surgeons have noted more instability, higher complications, and higher post operative meniscal tears following the TTA. For these reasons we don’t currently recommend the TTA procedure for our patients.
TPLO - Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy:
The Modern, Minimally-Invasive Solution
The tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) is our recommended surgical treatment to manage CCL ruptures. TPLO is a minimally-invasive procedure that allows us to stabilize the knee with a very high success rate.
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We perform a minimally-invasive form of TPLO using Arthroscopy. By using a scope, we are able to stabilize the knee with only a tiny incision. Dr. Brian Beale co-authored Small Animal Arthroscopy and pioneered the Arthroscopic TPLO, which is currently the most minimally-invasive cranial cruciate repair surgery. Many of our board certified surgeons have performed tens of thousands of TPLOs and have taught orthopedics around the world for decades.
Surgical Procedure
The TPLO allows us to manage the CCL rupture by changing the biomechanics of the joint. By altering the biomechanics of the joint, we stabilize the knee and eliminate the need for an intact CCL (cranial cruciate ligament).
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The idea is based off taking the steep part of the tibia, making a circular cut, and rotating the top of the tibia so that it is flatter. Since we are making a cut in the bone it is secured with a locking plate and screws. Once the bone is rotated the instability is eliminated.
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A circular cut is made in the tibia and the joint surface is rotated in order to level the plateau and create stability in the joint when the CCL is partially or completely torn.
A plate and screws are applied to the bone in order to allow it to heal in the appropriate/rotated position.
Post-Operative Care
After surgery you dog will need a period of rest and relaxation of about 8-12 weeks. This means no running, jumping, or playing. They will need to be taken outside on leash to urinate and defecate; excessive climbing up and down stairs or on and off furniture should be avoided. We recommend when not directly supervised that patients be placed in a crate, small laundry room or bathroom, or a small portion of the house sectioned off so that your dog can’t over do it. Excessive activity will lead to implant breakdown, soft tissue injuries, or delayed healing.
The staples/sutures will be removed, or incision evaluated at approximately 2 weeks after surgery and radiographs will be needed at either 6 or 8 weeks and possibly 12 weeks after surgery to evaluate healing. At these rechecks an orthopedic exam will also be performed to ensure the surgical site is healing as expected.
Just as with people we recommend physical rehabilitation beginning 2 weeks after surgery. Rehabilitation will involve once weekly formal rehab sessions along with at home exercises. We have noted quicker healing, maintenance of muscle mass and range of motion, and superior outcome in the patients that undergo formal rehabilitation. Furthermore, rehabilitation offers an outlet of energy in controlled manner so that your dog is still able to maintain some activity while healing. Patients that have been treated conservatively usually require once to twice weekly rehabilitation for a period of about 3-6 months.
Following surgery, we recommend that patients begin oral joint supplements, maintain a healthy body weight, and remain active once healed from surgery. These things will be the beginning blocks along with surgery to minimize and slow down the progression of OA.
Authored by:
David Dycus, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS-SA
Board-Certified Veterinary Surgeon
Beale's Best Contributor
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Nexus Veterinary Specialists - Baltimore, MD
Medical Director