Gorgeous Charlie was presented to Dr Christoph Stork (Dr.med.vet., DES ChirPA, DipECVS, MRCVS) with a limp. This was diagnosed as a torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL).

One of the most common injuries to the knee of dogs is tearing of the CCL. This ligament is similar to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in humans. There are actually two cruciate ligaments inside the knee: the cranial and the caudal cruciate ligament. They are called cruciate because they cross over each other inside the middle of the knee.

When the CCL is torn or injured, the tibia slides forward with respect to the femur, which is known as a positive drawer sign. Most dogs with this injury cannot walk normally and experience pain. The resulting instability damages the cartilage and surrounding bones and leads to osteoarthritis (OA).

A surgical procedure called tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) was performed on Charlie. This surgery changes the angle and relationship of the femur and the tibia. The overall intent of the surgery is to reduce the amount that the tibia shifts forward during a stride. This is accomplished by making a semicircular cut through the top of the tibia, rotating the top of the tibia, and placing a plate to allow the tibia to heal. This realignment of the surfaces within the stifle helps to provide stability during a stride and helps to reduce future joint inflammation and OA. By carefully adjusting the angle or slope of the top of the tibia, surgeons are able to replicate a more normal configuration of the knee joint and reduce mechanical stress.

Charlie will require 6 weeks of rest at home and will have 6 week radiographs to review the healing of his stifle.

Charlie was nervous but quickly warmed to the nursing team and loved a morning in the sunny garden with RVN Charlie. What a sweetie