Long-term outcome in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease evaluated using the canine orthopaedic index

BackgroundCranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD) is common in dogs, but studies on the long-term treatment outcome are scarce. MethodsThe long-term outcome in a cohort of 71 dogs with CCLD treated with tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO, n = 18), tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA, n = 23) or lateral fabellotibial suture (LFS, n = 30) was evaluated using the canine orthopaedic index. ResultsThe risk of stiffness and lameness was increased in dogs treated with TPLO (stiffness: incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.33, p = 0.015; lameness: IRR 1.34, p = 0.020) or TTA (stiffness: IRR 1.26, p = 0.035; lameness: IRR 1.31, p = 0.026) when compared to LFS at a median follow-up time of 4.6 years. LimitationsNo follow-up veterinary examination was performed. Data were collected from only two university animal hospitals, and thus, a referral bias towards more complicated cases is possible, which may limit the generalisability of the results. ConclusionClinicians can use the results to inform dog owners about the expected long-term outcome in dogs with CCLD.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the long-term outcome of 71 dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD) treated with different methods. The results showed an increased risk of stiffness and lameness in dogs treated with TPLO or TTA compared to LFS. The limitations of the study include the lack of follow-up veterinary examination and the possibility of referral bias from only two university animal hospitals.