Introduction

• Cause: trauma resulting in desmitis and/or rupture; often in conjunction with meniscal   Stifle: trauma - meniscal  and collateral ligament   Stifle: trauma - collateral ligament  injury.
• Signs: hindlimb lameness; joint distension and pain.
• Diagnosis: intra-articular anesthesia    Hindlimb: joint anesthesia  , ultrasonography   Ultrasonography: musculoskeletal  , radiography   Hindlimb: radiography  , arthroscopy   Joint: arthroscopy - overview  .
• Treatment: rest, arthroscopic surgery   Joint: arthroscopy - overview  , anti-inflammatories    Therapeutics: anti-inflammatory drugs  .
• Prognosis: generally poor.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Trauma.
• Degenerative changes in ligament.

Pathophysiology

• Trauma   →   desmitis and/or rupture.
• When stifle is in hyperextension, or sudden rotation with stifle in flexion.
• Often in conjunction with meniscal    Stifle: trauma - meniscal  , articular cartilage and/or collateral ligament    Stifle: trauma - collateral ligament   injury; (cranial cruciate ligament prevents internal rotation of the tibia on the femur and 'cranial draw', ie forward movement of the tibia relative to the femur).
• Degenerative changes in ligament.
• Cranial cruciate fails most commonly mid-body; avulsion of tibial and femoral attachments less commonly.
• Caudal cruciate injuries are less common.
• Medial septum of femorotibial joint is often disrupted at time of cruciate injury.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Outcomes