Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cranial cruciate ligament disease in cats study and outcomes
By Boge, Gudrun S et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2020·Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Cranial cruciate ligament disease in cats: an epidemiological retrospective study of 50 cats (2011-2016).
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 50 cats diagnosed with cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD) were studied to see how different treatments affected their long-term recovery. Some cats were treated with surgery, while others received conservative management without surgery. After following up for about 3.5 years, it was found that the cats treated without surgery reported less chronic pain compared to those who had surgery. Interestingly, about 14% of the cats developed CCLD in both knees. This suggests that for some cats, non-surgical treatment may lead to better pain outcomes over time.
People also search for: cat knee pain treatment · cranial cruciate ligament disease in cats · cat surgery recovery time · cat chronic pain management
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and long-term outcome of surgically and conservatively treated cats with cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of cats with CCLD, diagnosed at two university animal hospitals between January 2011 and December 2016, was performed. Signalment, history, treatment and follow-up information were retrieved. Cat owners were contacted for additional long-term follow-up information. The cases were divided into two groups: one conservatively managed and one surgically treated with the lateral fabellotibial suture technique. A quality of life questionnaire, the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index (FMPI), was distributed to the owners of cats alive at follow-up for assessment of chronic pain as a long-term outcome. Univariable statistical methods were used to evaluate the data. RESULTS: Fifty cats were identified and were followed for a median of 41 months after diagnosis of CCLD. Seven cats (14%) developed bilateral CCLD. Twenty-eight cats (56%) were treated conservatively and 22 (44%) surgically. All surgically treated cats in which arthrotomy was performed (19/22) had total cranial cruciate ligament rupture and 9/19 (47%) had meniscal injuries. Postoperative surgical complications were recorded in 6/22 cats (27%). Owners of 24/29 (83%) cats still alive at follow-up completed the FMPI questionnaire. The conservatively treated cats had a lower FMPI score, indicating less chronic pain, than those cats treated surgically (= 0.017). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Conservatively treated cats with CCLD experienced less chronic pain at long-term follow-up than surgically treated cats. Bilateral disease is not uncommon in cats with CCLD.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30896333/