Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fixing knee instability after TPLO surgery in a small dog
By Nam, Eunryel et al.·Published in Open veterinary journal·2025·Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Japan·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Correction of pivot shift phenomenon following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy using lateral fabellotibial suture in a toy-breed dog with cranial cruciate ligament rupture.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-kg toy poodle was brought in for lameness in the right back leg due to a torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL). The dog underwent a surgery called tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) to stabilize the joint, but afterward, it still showed signs of instability. To fix this, a lateral fabellotibial suture (LFTS) was added, which helped stabilize the joint. Unfortunately, the dog later developed lameness in the left leg, also due to a torn CCL, and received the same LFTS treatment. After both surgeries, the poodle regained stability in both hind legs and was able to move better.
People also search for: toy poodle CCL tear treatment · dog knee surgery recovery · lateral fabellotibial suture for dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) is a leading cause of lameness in dogs, often requiring surgical stabilization. Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) is a widely used procedure; however, postoperative instability, including the pivot shift phenomenon, can occur. This case highlights the need for additional stabilization techniques when TPLO alone is insufficient. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 5-kg toy poodle presented with right hind limb CCLR. The tibial plateau angle (TPA) was 25°, and no injury was observed in the medial meniscus. TPLO was performed; however, postoperative instability due to the pivot shift phenomenon was observed. To restore joint stability, a lateral fabellotibial suture (LFTS) was placed. Eight weeks later, lameness developed in the left hind limb, and orthopedic examination confirmed CCLR with a TPA of 25° and an intact medial meniscus. LFTS was applied to the left stifle joint due to recurrent instability following TPLO. Postoperatively, stifle joint stability was regained in both hind limbs. CONCLUSION: While TPLO is an effective treatment for CCLR, some cases may require additional stabilization. This case suggests that LFTS can be a valuable adjunct for managing postoperative instability in small-breed dogs, improving surgical outcomes when the pivot shift phenomenon occurs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41036376/