Cranial Cruciate Ligament rupture is one of the most common orthopedic injuries in dogs. Similar to a torn ACL in humans, it can come on suddenly or appear gradually over a period of time. Cruciate ligament rupture is extremely painful for the pet and typically leads to arthritis. Although a cruciate ligament injury that isn’t treated often seems to improve after a few weeks, surgery is almost always needed to stabilize the knee joint. The sooner surgery is performed, the better the chance of slowing the progression of arthritis and relieving the pet’s pain.
What is a Cruciate Ligament?
Pets have 2 cruciate ligaments (cranial and caudal) that hold the knee joint together. “Cruciate” literally means to “form a cross.” The cruciate ligaments are so named because they cross inside the joint, connecting the bones above and below the knee (the femur and tibia):
- The caudal cruciate attaches to the back of the tibia.
- The cranial cruciate attaches to the front of the tibia (the side near the kneecap). Similar to the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, in people, the cranial cruciate ligament is the one that’s most often ruptured.
What Causes Cruciate Ligament Injury?
In dogs with this injury, the cruciate ligament has often been degenerating slowly over time, and it ruptures (either partially or completely) when a dog suddenly changes direction, usually while running. Dogs can also rupture their cruciate ligaments while walking—for instance, if they trip over a rock or step into a hole.
Most affected dogs have cranial cruciate ligament disease, which stems from a variety of factors that include degeneration of the ligament, obesity, age, poor physical condition, genetics, and breed.
Are Certain Dogs More Prone to Cruciate Ligament Injury?
Cruciate ligament rupture can affect any dog, regardless of size or age. However, this type of knee injury is more common in overweight and obese dogs, and the risk of injury does increase with age.
Certain dog breeds, such as Akitas, Chesapeake Bay retrievers, golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, mastiffs, Newfoundlands, rottweilers, Saint Bernards, and Staffordshire terriers, are also at higher risk.
Cranial cruciate ligament injury can affect healthy dogs as well—in particular, athletes who participate in agility and other activities and “weekend warriors” who tend to be inactive most days of the week but ramp up exercise on the weekends.
Most dogs who have a cruciate ligament injury in one knee will eventually develop it in the other knee.
Cats can suffer from cruciate ligament injury, but it’s rare.
What Are the Signs of Cruiciate Ligament Injury?
Pain and sudden lameness in a hind leg are the most obvious signs. Other symptoms of cruciate ligament injury include:
- Lameness that comes and goes, especially with activity
- Limping
- Stiff gait
- Swelling of the knee
- Instability of the knee
- Stiffness or weakness of the knee or hind limb
- Difficulty bearing weight on the affected leg
- Decrease in activity level
- Trouble getting up from a sit
- Difficulty jumping up onto the sofa or bed or into a vehicle
- Trouble climbing stairs
- Reluctance to play
- A popping noise in the knee
How Does a Veterinarian Diagnose Cruiciate Ligament Injury?
Your veterinarian will perform a physical exam of your pet, which includes checking for swelling, inflammation, and pain, as well as abnormal movement and range of motion of the knee. This typically involves moving your pet’s knee into several positions, as well as observing your pet walking. Your vet may also need to take x-rays of the knee and may recommend other diagnostic tests.
How Does My Vet Treat Cruiciate Ligament Injury?
Surgery is usually the most effective way to treat this type of injury. There are several different types of surgeries that can be performed. Your veterinarian will determine which one will work best for your pet.
Some small dogs (and cats) may be able to recover without surgery, but only if they can be put on strict exercise restriction for around 6 weeks. This usually means being confined to their crate for rest during that time. Even then, most dogs with cruciate ligament injury eventually need surgery.
If nothing is done to stabilize the knee, the joint will start to develop degenerative changes that cannot be reversed.
After surgery, dogs must have their activity limited for about 6 to 8 weeks. Physical therapy, which is usually part of the postsurgical plan, helps speed up recovery and reduce the chance of complications.
Can I Do Anything to Help Prevent Cruiciate Ligament Injury in my Dog?
Although there’s no way to completely prevent cruciate ligament injury or disease, helping an overweight dog lose weight can reduce the risk of this type of injury. Your Jacksonville veterinarian can create a weight loss plan that includes reducing caloric intake and increasing activity slowly and as safely as possible.
If you have questions about cruciate ligament rupture or if your pet’s limping, is in pain, can’t put weight on his or her leg, or is showing other signs of a knee injury, give us a call right away. The sooner we diagnose the problem, the faster we can help your pet feel better and start to recover from the injury.
