Bacterial culture of the canine stifle joint following surgical repair of ruptured cranial cruciate ligament

The purpose of this project was to determine if chronic. low grade bacteria l contamination is associated with an unsatisfactory outcome of cranial cru ciate ligament (CCL) repair, Additionally, signalment and physical examinat ion findings were compared between dogs doing well and dogs doing poorly. A sample of synovial fluid was obtained from the stifle joints of dogs with either a satisfactory or an unsatisfactory long term outcome following extr a-capsular CCL repair. Aerobic and anaerobic bacterial cultures were obtain ed and antibiotic sensitivities determined. Significant differences were no t found between the two groups with regards to the frequency of positive cu ltures. signalment, or synovial fluid analyses. The dogs with an unsatisfac tory outcome did have significantly more pain, less range of motion, and le ss cranial drawer signs than dogs with a satisfactory outcome. Chronic, low grade bacterial contamination is not associated with an unsatisfactory cli nical outcome and, in general. appears to be an uncommon sequela to CCL rep air. Physical examination findings suggest that elimination of cranial draw er is not a major determinant of clinical success of thr procedure.