A Biomechanical Cadaver Study to Determine the Effectiveness of the Lateral Graft Technique and Isometric Suture Placement for Extracapsular Stabilization of the Cranial Cruciate Ligament Deficient Stifle in the Dog

Objective – 1) To determine whether a graft of fascia lata and part of the patellar ligament, used in an extracapsular fashion from the tibial crest to the femorofabellar ligament, would eliminate abnormal cranial drawer motion in the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) deficient stifle 2) To determine if two new tibial suture anchor points would enhance biomechanical function of the lateral fabellar-tibial suture (FTS).

Study Design – Experimental.

Animals – 28 canine cadaver hind limbs.

Methods – Stifles were mounted in a jig that allowed tibial rotation during loading and were tested between loads of â 65 to 80 N in caudal and cranial drawer respectively. Stifles were tested with the CrCL intact followed by one of four stabilization techniques after CrCL transection: lateral graft technique (LGT) and three FTS with different tibial anchor points.

Results – Differences in cranial drawer motion (displacement) and stiffness between the LGT and standard FTS were not significant in two data sets, when compared to the intact CrCL. The FTS with the anchor point in the tibial crest showed the least displacement of all stabilization methods. Differences in stiffness were not significant between the stabilization techniques.

Conclusions – Stability provided by the LGT is comparable to that of the standard FTS for the CrCL-deficient stifle in the cadaver. Altering the tibial anchor points for the FTS did not improve stiffness or result in a further decrease in cranial drawer motion.

Clinical Relevance – The LGT could be used for the treatment of acute and chronic CrCL ruptures in the dog. A clinical study is recommended.