Long-term outcome of surgery for dogs with cranial cruciate ligament deficiency

Fifty-eight dogs with cranial cruciate ligament deficiency were assessed an d treated surgically. At an average of 50 months postoperatively, the funct ional outcome was assessed by means of an owner-based clinical assessment a nd a clinical examination. Client-based data were available for 26 dogs and 20 dogs were reassessed after 50 months. The results were compared with th e initial values and with data from an assessment 13 months postoperatively . The level of disability at 50 months was judged to be significantly less than initially. However, there were no differences between the initial asse ssments and those made after 50 months for the perceived 'effect of cold we ather' and the dogs' 'ability to jump', despite both measures having improv ed after 13 months. Age and meniscal injury were identified as poor prognos tic indicators for the long-term outcome. The equivalent joint on the contr alateral limb deteriorated significantly during the study.