| If you have recently been told your dog needs ACL | | | | actually changes how the stifle joint functions, |
| repair surgery, you are probably a bit confused as to | | | | whereas the goal of ECR is to mimic the mechanics |
| which surgery is right for your pet. Injury to a dog's | | | | of the joint. In TPLO, a cut is made with a custom |
| ACL, also known as the cranial cruciate ligament | | | | curved saw at the top of the tibia bone. The tibial |
| (CCL), is the most common orthopedic injury found in | | | | plateau is then rotated along the curved osteotomy, |
| large breed dogs today. A torn CCL may be the | | | | so as to change the slope of the top of the tibia. |
| result of sudden acute trauma to the knee or "stifle | | | | The bones are held in place by a metal plate and |
| joint," or may develop slowly as in overweight dogs | | | | screws, allowing the bone to heal. This technique |
| with progressive degenerative joint disease. | | | | eliminates the need for cranial cruciate ligaments by |
| The most conventional surgical option is referred to | | | | leveling the angle of the joint itself. |
| as Extracapsular Stabilization or (ECR). Think of this | | | | The TTA procedure or Tibial Tuberosity |
| surgery as replacing a rope. The ligaments inside a | | | | Advancement is considered less invasive than TPLO, |
| dog's stifle joint crisscross, running through the joint. | | | | and brings with it fewer complications. In TPLO, joint |
| Once torn, the ligament is unable to support the | | | | stability is achieved by rotating the tibial plateau. |
| function of the stifle joint. The ligament will never | | | | Conversely, in TTA, joint stability is achieved by |
| repair itself. The surgeon will use materials such as | | | | repositioning the patellar tendon. This involves cutting |
| stainless steel wire to wrap around the lateral fabella | | | | the front part of the tibia bone and advancing this |
| and through a drilled hole in the tibial crest. This | | | | portion of bone forward in order to realign the |
| technique is performed outside the stifle joint, | | | | patellar ligament. This eliminates the abnormal sliding |
| restraining abnormal motion. The ultimate goal is for | | | | movement within the stifle joint. A custom bone |
| the artificial ligament to provide the stability needed | | | | spacer, plate and screws are used to keep the bone |
| for the joint to function normally. Eventually, the wire | | | | in place, and a bone graft is placed into the gap in the |
| will loosen slightly, muscles will strengthen and the | | | | tibia bone to stimulate healing. |
| development of scar tissue will help to stabilize the | | | | The three surgical procedures listed above each |
| joint. | | | | come with their own set of risks and benefits. It is |
| A second, more invasive surgery referred to as Tibial | | | | imperative that you discuss with your surgeon, the |
| Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) is thought to be | | | | best option for your dog. |
| a good alternative for larger dogs. This approach | | | | |