Intra-Articular Repair for Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture in the Dog

This chapter first identifies some potential limitations of commonly used surgical procedures for cruciate ligament rupture. It briefly explores the historic use of intra-articular repair in dogs, and then focuses on overcoming the identified limitations of both extra- and intra-articular repairs. The chapter provides a review of the literature addressing intra-articular repair in dogs identifies three common limitations namely: inappropriate graft selection; inappropriate fixation; and an inappropriate biological environment for graft healing. Three main challenges arise when stabilizing an intra-articular graft: placement at an ideal location, optimal tension at the time of fixation, and development of a fixation method that will provide the required strength for recovery. Intra-articular repair in veterinary medicine continues to be inferior to extra-articular repairs in controlled studies and in surgeon opinion. As research into graft selection and processing, fixation techniques and graft healing advances, intra-articular repairs may become more common in veterinary medicine.