Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How suture placement and joint angle affect dog knee ligament repair
By Fischer, Christof et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2010·Department of Small Animal Medicine, Germany·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Effects of attachment sites and joint angle at the time of lateral suture fixation on tension in the suture for stabilization of the cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifle in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study looked at how different ways of securing a suture for dogs with a torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) affected the tension in the suture. They found that all methods increased tension when the dog's knee was bent, but one method showed the least change in tension. It was also noted that tightening the suture while the knee was bent could lead to instability when the leg straightened. The researchers suggest that tightening the suture should be done with the knee slightly straightened to avoid joint problems.
People also search for: dog CCL tear treatment · dog knee surgery recovery · how to stabilize dog knee after injury
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of different sites of lateral suture fixation for stabilization of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) deficient stifle and different joint angles at time of tightening on suture tension. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Stifle joints (n=9) of dogs >or=20 kg. METHODS: After CCL transection, each stifle was stabilized using 12 combinations of 4 different methods of lateral suture stabilization (LSS) and 3 different joint angles at time of suture tightening. Load within the suture throughout a full range of passive motion (ROM) was measured for each combination using a custom made load cell. RESULTS: All 4 LSS methods had an increase in suture tension on stifle flexion. LSS with the suture looped around the lateral fabella and secured to the proximal aspect of the tibia through 2 parallel drill holes at the tibial crest had the least change in suture tension during ROM. Tightening the suture at 70 degrees joint angle resulted in a significant loss of suture tension on extension. CONCLUSIONS: None of the LSS resulted in constant suture tension, questioning current recommendations regarding "isometric" points for lateral suture fixation. Tightening the suture with the stifle held in flexion may result in joint instability on extension. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: LSS as commonly performed is associated with a significant increase in suture tension on flexion of the stifle, potentially over-constraining the joint. Tightening should be performed with the stifle in slight extension rather than in flexion.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20522213/