Conservative vs. Surgical Treatment for Cranial Cruciate Disease
A study examined the characteristics and long-term outcome of surgically and conservatively treated cats with cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD). Fifty cats were identified and were followed for a median of 41 months after diagnosis of CCLD. The cases were divided into two groups; one conservatively managed and one surgically treated with the lateral fabellotibial suture technique.
Twenty-eight cats (56%) were treated conservatively and 22 (44%) surgically. All surgically treated cats in which arthrotomy was performed (19/22) had total CCL rupture and 9/19 (47%) had meniscal injuries. Postoperative surgical complications were recorded in 6/22 cats (27%). The conservatively treated cats were reported by the pet owner to have less chronic pain, than those cats treated surgically. Results suggested that conservatively treated cats with CCLD experienced less chronic pain at long-term follow-up than surgically treated cats.
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