Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Toy-breed dog with knee ligament tear treated without bone cutting
By Sung Su Park & Ho Jae Han·Published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science·2025·IU Animal Medical Center, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Republic of Korea, CH·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Combined intra- and extracapsular stabilization for CCL rupture in a toy-breed dog: a case report
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old Maltese was brought in for trouble using her back leg due to a torn cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL), a common injury that can cause limping in dogs. Because she had heart problems, traditional surgery wasn't an option, so the vet used a special technique that involved placing sutures inside the joint and anchoring them outside without using certain implants. After the surgery, the dog quickly regained her ability to walk without any complications. This case suggests that this method could be a safe alternative for very small dogs with similar issues.
People also search for: Maltese torn ligament treatment · dog limping after surgery · small dog knee surgery options
Abstract
Cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) rupture is a frequent orthopedic condition leading to hindlimb dysfunction in dogs. While tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) has become the predominant surgical choice in large breeds, its use in toy-breed dogs remains controversial due to anatomical constraints and implant limitations. This case report presents a 10-year-old, 2.0 kg Maltese with CrCL rupture and underlying cardiac disease, for whom osteotomy was contraindicated. A hybrid stabilization technique was performed, combining intra-articular suture placement with extracapsular anchoring via bone tunnels, intentionally avoiding use of the lateral fabella. The procedure resulted in rapid postoperative limb function recovery and no observed complications. This outcome highlights the potential clinical value of non-osteotomy-based stabilization in ultra-small dogs, particularly in cases where traditional methods pose excessive risk. Continued case accumulation and long-term monitoring are necessary to further validate the safety and efficacy of this approach.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1692055