An in vitro study to determine the effectiveness of a patellar ligament/fascia lata graft and new tibial suture anchor points for extracapsular stabilization of the cranial cruciate ligament-deficient stifle in the dog

Objective-(1) To determine whether an extracapsular patellar ligament/fascia lata graft would provide stability in the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)-deficient stifle comparable with that of the intact stifle. (2) To determine if different tibial anchor points would enhance stability of the CrCL-deficient stifle when compared with the standard fabellar-tibial suture (FTS) placement. Study Design-Experimental. Animals-Twenty-eight canine cadaver hind limbs. Methods-Stifles were mounted in a jig and tested between loads of -65 and 80 N. After testing the intact CrCL, 4 stabilization techniques were tested after CrCL transection: lateral graft technique (LGT) and 3 FTS with different tibial anchor points. Results-There were no significant differences in displacement between the LGT and standard FTS, between the LGT and the intact CrCL, or between the FTS and the intact CrCL, in either the Securos(TM) or the Screw-washer experiments. Stiffness of the intact CrCL was significantly greater than that of any stabilization technique and the cut CrCL. The standard FTS showed the least displacement of all suture stabilization techniques. Differences in stiffness were not significant between the suture stabilization techniques. Conclusions-Securely anchored, the LGT results in a reduction in drawer motion similar to that of the intact CrCL and the standard FTS. Altering the tibial anchor point for the FTS does not improve stiffness or enhance stabilization of the CrCL-deficient stifle. Clinical Relevance-The LGT could be used for the treatment of CrCL ruptures in the dog. A clinical study is recommended. (C) Copyright 2004 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.