The Canine Knee

by Kimberly DeMeza, Georgia Veterinary Specialists

Knee injuries aren’t limited to the elite or weekend athlete. And orthopedic surgery isn’t just for humans. In 2002 (the most recent year data is available) approximately 215,000 dog owners sought surgical treatment for a common canine orthopedic injury – cranial cruciate ligament rupture. According to the most recent study (November 1, 2005, Journal of the American Veterinary Association) Americans spend slightly more than $1 billion annually for the medical or surgical treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture.

In humans, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) helps hold the knee in place. In canines, it is the  cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) that performs the same job.  The rupture of the CCL is not limited to canine athletes.  “The typical patient has had a three month or more history of occasional lameness,” explains Alan Cross, DVM, a board-certified veterinary surgeon on staff at Georgia Veterinary Specialists. “During this time, the cranial cruciate ligament is fraying, resulting in inflammation and pain. Once it tears completely, the knee unstable and quite painful resulting in an obvious lameness,” he says.  Left untreated, severe arthritis will develop, as will meniscal tears (menisci are the cartilages that provide load sharing function in the knee). In addition, nearly a third of dogs will tear the CCL in the other rear leg, often within a year.

What to do?
Treatment options are either conservative management, which includes activity restriction, anti-inflammatories and pain management, or surgery.  “Some dogs will improve without surgery, but never will do as well as they do with surgery,” Cross says.  “Most dogs return to excellent functioning following surgery.”