STUDY IN DOG'S CADAVERS OF THE ASSISTED BY ARTHROSCOPY INTRACAPSULAR TECHNIQUE FOR THE TREATMENT OF THE CRANIAL CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RUPTURE IN THE DOG

Abstract

The aim was study and improve the intra-articular technique assisted by arthroscopy of the cranial cruciate ligament repair in dog's cadavers. The bone-patelar tendon-bone was used as a graft and were made the femoral and tibial tunnels. The hindlimb of 10 dogs cadavers weighing > 20kg were harvested. The femoral and tibial tunnels were made independent of each other, in the footprint of the original cranial cruciate ligament. Radiographic and tomographic studies were performed to evaluate the joint. The osseous portions of the graft were were harversted with osteotome and hammer. Fractures occurred in 3 patellas and 3 tibial tuberosities. The medium lenght of the grafts was 7,56cm. Tibial and femoral tunnels were in the footprint of the cranial cruciate ligament in 80% and 90% of the joints, respectively. The tibial tunnel had an average angle of 62,95º measured by computer tomography. The femoral tunnel was at 13h in the left knee and at 11h in the right knee in all joints (100%). At the end of the procedure the drawer test was negative in all joints (100%). It can be concluded that the proposed technique is feasible to be performed in the dog. But because to the small size of the canine joint it is necessary specific instruments in order to obtain better acuracy. 
Keywords: stifle, canine, instability, arthroscopy.