Ligament Ruptures

Question 1

CCL Rupture

Answer 1

Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture

Question 2

What causes CCL rupture?

Answer 2

Sudden hyperextension of the stifle while exercising

Question 3

Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture (CCL)
is a major cause of DJD. What does DJD stand for?

Answer 3

Degenerative Joint Disease

Question 4

A rupture is a major injury while a tear is refered to as what?

Answer 4

Minor instability

Question 5

Most likely candidate for CCL rupture

Answer 5

Middle-age, obese, inactive animals

Question 6

50% of CCL injuries also result in what other injury?

Answer 6

Meniscal injury

Question 7

CCL injury is infrequent in what animal?

Answer 7

Cat

Question 8

What are the clinical signs of CCL injury?

Answer 8

1. Acute onset
2. Non-weight bearing or limping
3. Internal rotation of tibia when weight bearing attempted
4. Possible stifle effusion

Question 9

Diagnosis of CCL injury (3)

Answer 9

1. Cranial drawer movement
2. Tibial compression test (tibial thrust)
3. Radiographs

Question 10

Treatment of CCL injury (3)

Answer 10

1. Surgical Stabilization
2. Weight loss for obese animals
3. Cage rest for 3-4 weeks

Question 11

Surgical stabilization for CCL injury in small animals (less than 15 pounds)

Answer 11

Extraarticular: Use of suture to stabilize the joint.

Question 12

Surgical stabilization for CCL injury in larger animals

Answer 12

Intraarticular: TPLO
(tibial plateau leveling osteotomy)