Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Toy-breed dog with knee ligament tear fixed by combined surgery
By Park, Sung Su & Han, Ho Jae·Published in Frontiers in veterinary science·2025·IU Animal Medical Center, South Korea·View original on PubMed →
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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 dog weighing just 2 kg was brought in for hind leg problems caused by a torn cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL), which is a common injury in dogs. Because of the dog's small size and existing heart issues, traditional surgery wasn't an option. Instead, 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 the ability to use its leg without any complications. This case suggests that this alternative method can be effective for very small dogs with similar injuries.
People also search for: Maltese dog hind leg problems · CrCL tear treatment in small dogs · non-surgical options for dog knee injuries
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 PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41394905/