USE OF FORCE-PLATE ANALYSIS OF GAIT TO COMPARE 2 SURGICAL TECHNIQUES FOR TREATMENT OF CRANIAL CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RUPTURE IN DOGS

Objective-To use ground reaction forces and related impulses as an obj ective measurement of limb function in the comparison of 1 extracapsul ar and 1 intracapsular surgical technique for repair of cranial crucia te ligament rupture in dogs. Animals-18 healthy dogs. Design-All dogs underwent force-plate analysis of gait prior to transection of the lef t cranial cruciate ligament. The dogs were randomly allotted to 3 grou ps. The ligamentous instability was corrected, using a modified retina cular imbrication technique (MRIT) in 1 group and an under-and-over te chnique in another group. No attempt was made to correct the ligamento us instability in a control group. Clinical grading of lameness and fo rce-plate analysis of gait were performed at 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 week s after surgery. Procedure-Peak vertical force and vertical, braking, and propulsion impulses were recorded for each limb at each time. The degree of clinical lameness was graded at each time. Results-Left hind limb peak vertical forces and vertical impulses were significantly de creased at all times after surgery in the control and under-and-over t echnique group, compared with values before surgery. Dogs of the MRIT group had improved by 20 weeks, with no significant differences betwee n left hind limb peak vertical forces or vertical impulses recorded be fore surgery and at 20 weeks. Conclusion-Peak vertical forces and vert ical impulses in dogs undergoing MRIT repair after experimentally crea ted cranial cruciate ligament rupture are not significantly different when values recorded for the operated limb at 20 weeks after surgery a re compared with those recorded prior to surgery.