Rehabilitating the canine cruciate patient: part one

Rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament is the most commonly diagnosed orthopaedic condition in dogs (Harasen, 2011a). This article describes how rehabilitation plays an important part in management of the condition, for both patients that are managed conservatively (part one) and in the aftercare of those that are managed surgically (part two).

The canine cranial cruciate ligament originates from within the intercondylar notch at the distal end of the femur and crosses the stifle joint space to insert on the intercondylar area at the tibial plateau (Alveraz, 2011). Its purpose, along with the caudal cruciate ligament, is to provide stability to the stifle joint and prevent movement of the tibia in a cranial direction (tibial thrust) (Shaw, 2017).

Rupture of the canine cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) occurs most commonly as a result of degeneration of the ligament which frays and eventually ruptures; rather than as a result of trauma (Davidson et al, 2005). This degenerative process has led to development and use of the term ‘cruciate disease’ to describe the entire process, which varies in duration from an acute incident to a chronic process lasting many months (Corr, 2009).