Outcomes of cranial cruciate ligament repair using tibial plateau leveling osteotomy surgery in dogs
The object of this study is to evaluate the long-term outcome of hind limb weight-bearing function and progression of stifle osteoarthritis (OA) after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). Groups were classified by the degree of cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) damage and presence or absence of medial meniscus damage as macroscopically evaluated during surgery.
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Weight-bearing function was assessed via the peak vertical force (PVF), and osteoarthitis (OA) progression was assessed via the radiographic OA score (OAS) preoperatively, along with 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months postoperatively. In all stifles, peak vertical force was significantly higher within 6 months postoperatively than preoperatively, and this high ratio was maintained for 36 months.
The osteoarthritis score was significantly higher 24 months postoperatively than preoperatively in stifles with a partial CrCL tear, and significantly increased at each time point after 3 months postoperatively in stifles with complete CrCL rupture.
The osteoarthritis score remained consistently lower in stifles with a partial CrCL tear and no treatment of the medial meniscus than in stifles with complete rupture. Thus, after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO), the weight-bearing function improved in the early postoperative period and was maintained for as long as 36 months. Osteoarthritis progression was more gradual in stifles with partial tears than in those with complete rupture. Canine patients would benefit from earlier surgical intervention through development of technology that enables early detection of ligament degeneration.
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