Mini-Invasive Extraarticular Stabilization of the Cranial Cruciate Deficient Stifle in Dogs

The purpose of this work was to describe three mini-invasive techniques for extraarticular stabilization of the deficient stifle based of bone anchores inserted in quasi-isometric sites.Suture stabilization of the stifle consisted of placing a monofilament nylon leader line or polyethylene suture between femoral site adjacent to the distal poles of the fabella, and tibial site immediately cranial to the long digital extensor tendon, using two anchor types. Each stifle was tested (cranial drawer test and tibial compression test) before and after arthroscopic transection of the cranial cruciate ligament and after performing the assigned procedure. Surgical approach, order of procedural steps, drill hole entrance and exit points, and techniques for anchors placement, tensioning, and securing were described.The results of the cranial drawer test and tibial compression test do not show statistically significant differences between the three applied techniques. All three techniques provide passive stability to the deficient stifle.