What Is a Cranial Cruciate Ligament Tear in Pets?
If you watch sports, you probably cringe when you see an athlete fall and clutch their knee. As one of the important ligaments in charge of stabilizing the knee, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is most likely what they tore.
Did you know that the same knee ligament in your pet can be torn? The issue still exists even though it is known by a different name—cranial cruciate ligament (CCL)].
What does a tear of the canine cranial cruciate ligament entail?
For the knee joint to be stable, the cranial cruciate ligament, which joins the thigh bone (also known as the femur) to the shin bone (also known as the tibia), is crucial. As your pet walks, a ruptured or torn CCL will cause the shin to thrust forward and away from the femur, creating instability and pain.
How does the cranial cruciate ligament become damaged in pets?
A multitude of factors contribute to a CCL rupture or tear in pets, including:
- Ligament degeneration
- Obesity
- Poor physical condition
- Genetics
- Skeletal shape and configuration
- Breed
Instead of being the result of an immediate injury to a healthy ligament, CCL rupture typically happens as a result of the ligament slowly deteriorating over months or years.
What symptoms indicate a torn cranial cruciate ligament in animals?
It can be difficult for pet owners to decide whether their pet needs veterinary care when they notice symptoms of a CCL tear, especially if the tear is partial. However, a CCL rupture necessitates medical attention, so you must make an appointment with our staff if your pet exhibits any of the following symptoms:
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Lameness on a hind leg
- Difficulty standing after sitting
- Difficulty during the process of sitting
- Difficulty jumping into the car or on furniture
- Decreased activity level
- Muscle atrophy in the affected leg
- Decreased range of motion in the knee
How can a torn cranial cruciate ligament be repaired?
Treatment for a torn CCL will depend on your pet’s activity level, size, age, and degree of knee instability. Surgery is typically the best option, as an osteotomy- or suture-based technique is the only way to manage the instability permanently. However, medical management may also be an option.
Your pet may have torn their cranial cruciate ligament if they limp on one of their hind legs. Call our staff to arrange an orthopedic examination.