Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2010; 23(03): 163-167
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-09-05-0054
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

Determination of isometric points for placement of a lateral suture in treatment of the cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifle

D. Hulse
1   College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Small Animal Surgery, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, USA
,
W. Hyman
2   Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, USA
,
B. Beale
3   Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, Houston, Texas, USA
,
B. Saunders
1   College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Small Animal Surgery, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, USA
,
l. Peycke
1   College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Small Animal Surgery, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, USA
,
G. Hosgood
4   Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received:05 May 2009

Accepted:31 January 2009

Publication Date:
18 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Complete or partial rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is a common injury of the canine stifle. While numerous techniques have been developed for surgical treatment, extra-articular methods with placement of a lateral suture remain a popular treatment method. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential isometry of the six suture-paired sites two on the femur and three on the tibia. In six femoro-tibial specimens with intact passive joint restraints, femoral sites adjacent to the proximal (F1) and distal (F2) poles of the fabella, and tibial sites adjacent to the patella insertion (T1), immediately cranial to (T2) and caudal to (T3) the long digital extensor tendon, were identified. A suture from one femoral site to one tibial site was placed under 0 or 5 N of preload, and tension was measured at joint angles of 150°, 130°, 90° and 50°. The F2-T3 combination was found to be most isometric. Isometry was reassessed in the same specimens with the suture in the F2-T3 position, and under 5 N, 10 N and 15 N of preload, and after transection of the CCL. The suture pair retained its isometric pattern in the CCL transected specimens. There was no effect of preload on isometry patterns.