Partial rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament treated with tibial tuberosity advancement without debridement of the remaining ligament: A clinical study of 18 cases

Instability following complete cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) rupture is ongoing (Tashman et al., 2004) and leads to inflammation, degenerative joint disease, and cartilage and meniscal damage (Messmer et al., 2001; Boudrieau, 2009). Often inflammation and osteoarthritis begin already in stifles with partial CrCL ruptures despite apparent mechanical stability. If left untreated these dogs continue in most cases to develop degenerative joint disease (DJD), finally leading to a complete rupture of the CrCL with consequent instability and meniscal damage (Hayes et al., 2010). A case series published (Hulse et al., 2010) showed that partial CrCL ruptures treated early with a tibia plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) leaving the remaining ligament in situ had less progression of the DJD compared to the stifles with a complete CrCL rupture and TPLO. The objective of this study is to report the incidence of late complete cruciate ligament rupture after a tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) procedure in patients with partial cruciate ligament tears at the time of the TTA and the outcome of this treatment.