Effect of 9 mm tibial tuberosity advancement on cranial tibial translation in the canine cranial cruciate ligament-deficient stifle

Objective - To assess the effect of 9 min tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) on cranial tibial translation (CTT) in a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL)-deficient canine stifle model. Study Design - In vitro cadaveric study. Animals - Canine pelvic limbs (n = 12). Methods - Each stifle was placed in a jig at 135 degrees with a simulated quadriceps force and tibial axial force. CTT distance was measured with the CCL intact (iCCL), transected (tCCL), and after performing TTA using a 9 mm cage. Results - Mean CTT for iCCL was 0.42 mm, 1.58 mm after severing the CCL, and 1.06 mm post-TTA. The tCCL CTT measured without any quadriceps force was 2.59 mm. Differences between the intact and tCCL (P < .0001) and tCCL and TTA (P = .0003) were significant. The difference between the tCCL with and without the quadriceps force was not significant (P = .0597). Conclusions - These data confirm that TTA does reduce CTT in tCCL stifles in this model. The CTT noted was less than that noted clinically. The addition of a simulated quadriceps force to a CCL-deficient stifle before a TTA, by itself, may not significantly lessen CTT. Clinical Relevance - Whereas this in vitro model demonstrated that TTA reduced CTT in canine stifles with CCL transected, the model limitations preclude extrapolation to the effect of TTA in a live dog. (C) Copyright 2007 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.