Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy for treatment of naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament rupture in small breed dogs - Case series

This study describes a surgical technique and evaluates the clinical outcomes in small breed dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) treated with tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). Seven skeletally mature dogs weighing less than 15 kg underwent unilateral TPLO to stabilize the stifle joint with CCLR. Clinical evaluation was performed via visual lameness score, range of motion (ROM), and thigh girth circumference (TC). Postoperative complications were recorded. All patients reached a grade 1 score at 1 week and grade 0 at 8 weeks postoperatively. The mean operated limb extension angle was 98.11%, 99.07%, and 98.73% of the mean extension angle of the contralateral limb at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks postoperatively, respectively. The mean operated limb flexion angle was 98.07%, 95.88%, and 96.35% of the mean flexion angle of the contralateral limb at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks postoperatively, respectively. The mean TC of the operated limb was 92.95%, 93.68%, and 95.44% of the mean TC of the normal limb at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks postoperatively, respectively. Our outcomes for TPLO in small breed dogs are not worse than those previously reported for large breed dogs. Based on the result in the present study, CCLR in small dogs can be successfully managed with TPLO, as done in large breed dogs.