Rupture of the caudal cruciate ligament in eight dogs and four cats

This retrospective study from 1995 to 1999 evaluates clinical signs of isol ated caudal cruciate ligament rupture in eight dogs and four cats, methods of treatment and the outcome after treatment. The etiology of injury when k nown was trauma. Clinical signs of rear limb lameness ranged from mild to n on - weight bearing lameness. A positive drawer sign was seen in all affect ed stifles. Six of these stifles (four dogs and two cats) were preoperative ly misdiagnosed as having cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Two dogs and o ne cat had compromised medial collateral ligament injuries of the involved stifle. Radiographs were made of the affected stifle in five dogs and one c at. Four dogs and two cats had surgical treatment (including the animals wi th compromised medial collateral ligament injuries of the involved stifle) and were treated with an extracapsular stabilisation technique. The remaini ng six animals had conservative treatment (NSAID and rest). None of these t welve animals had evidence of meniscal damage. Follow-up data were collecte d by re-evaluation of the animal for clinical evidence of lameness, stifle instability and limb function. Animals with caudal cruciate ligament ruptur e and medial collateral injury showed worse results in orthopedic examinati on and radiographically more degenerative changes than animals with a ruptu red caudal cruciate ligament alone, regardless of the treatment chosen (con servatively / surgically).