Tibial tuberosity advancement for partial rupture of cranial cruciate ligament in two dogs

Two dogs (Case 1 weighing 27 kg, Case 2 weighing 42 kg) were referred with hindlimb lameness. On physical examination, there was moderate pain on stifle joint testing and mild cranial translation on cranial drawer testing in Case 1. This translation was obvious when the patient was under general anesthesia. Case 2 showed discomfort during hyperextension of the stifle joint, but no significant cranial translation under general anesthesia. Joint effusion was detected on radiography in both cases. Based on physiologic and radiographic examinations, cranial cruciate deficiency was suspected, so exploratory arthroscopy was performed. Arthroscopy revealed partial rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) in both cases. Case 1 showed unstable partial CrCL rupture, while Case 2 had stable CrCL rupture. Tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) was carried out as planned. Seroma occurred one week postoperatively in Case 2, and was removed surgically. The patients returned to satisfactory weight-bearing ambulation 5 months after initial surgery. Based on the results of these cases, TTA appears to be a useful procedure in the treatment of CrCL partial rupture.