• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.443-448
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• 2003

To determine whether localization of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and cathepsin K was associated with rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) in dogs. Tissue specimens were obtained from 30 dogs with CCL rupture during surgical treatment, 8 aged normal dogs, and 9 young normal dogs that were necropsied for reasons unrelated to this study and unrelated to musculoskeletal disease. The cranial cruciate ligament was examined histologically. $TRAP^+$ cells and cathepsin $K^+$ cells were identified by histochemical staining and immunohistochemical staining respectively. TRAP and cathepsin $K^+$ were co-localized within the same cells principally located within the epiligamentous region and to a lesser extent in the core region of ruptured CCL. Localization of $TRAP^+$ cells (P < 0.05) and cathepsin $K^+$ cells (P =0.05) within CCL tissue was significantly increased in dogs with CCL rupture, compared with aged-normal dogs, and young normal dogs (P < 0.05 - TRAP, P < 0.001 - cathepsin K). Localization of $TRAP^+$ cells and cathepsin $K^+$ cells within the CCL tissue of aged-normal dogs was also increased compared with young normal dogs (P < 0.05). Small numbers of $TRAP^+$ cells and cathepsin $K^+$ cells were seen in the intact ligaments of aged-normal dogs, which were associated with ligament fasicles in which there was chondroid transformation of ligament fibroblasts and disruption of the organized hierarchical structure of the extracellular matrix. $TRAP^+$ cells and cathepsin $K^+$ cells were not seen in CCL tissue from young-normal dogs. Localization of the proteinases $TRAP^+$ and cathepsin $K^+$ in CCL tissue was significantly associated with CCL rupture. Small numbers of proteinase positive cells were also localized in the CCL of agednormal dogs without CCL rupture, but were not detected in CCL from young-normal dogs. Taken together, these findings suggest that the cell signaling pathways that regulate expression of these proteinases in CCL tissue may form part of the mechanism that leads to upregulation of collagenolytic ligament remodeling and progressive structural failure of the CCL over time.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.459-462
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• 2017

A 3-year-old, 5.6 kg, castrated, male, British short hair cat presented with subtle weight-bearing lameness of the right hindlimb when walking suddenly after rest. On physical examination, the patient experienced pain when the right stifle joint was hyperextended. There was no clinical improvement of lameness or pain of the right hindlimb, despite the administration of analgesic drugs for one week. During diagnostic arthroscopy of right stifle, mild synovitis and cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) impingement on osteophyte of the intercondylar notch (ICN) was observed. Computed tomography was applied to determine an accurate surgical plan. Arthroscopy-assisted notchplasty, including removal of the osteophyte, was performed using chisel and arthroscopic burr. At 4 weeks postoperatively, the frequency of subtle weight-bearing lameness of the right hindlimb was significantly reduced. At 6 months postoperatively, the patient exhibited normal ambulation without recurrence of lameness. Impingement of CCL may cause subtle lameness and pain. Arthroscopy can be a good diagnostic tool for early-stage CCL disease. Notchplasty can be recommended for osteophyte-induced CCL disease.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.53.1-53.12
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• 2020

Background: The TightRope System is a device developed to provide extracapsular stabilization of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture in canine stifles. I was then also employed for the extra-articular treatment of shoulder instability and for the intra-articular treatment of hip luxation in dogs and cats. Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of the Mini-TightRope (mTR) System for the intraarticular treatment of CCL rupture in small breed dogs. Methods: A cadaveric canine model was used to record the steps of the surgical procedure. Five client owned dogs weighing from 8 to 10 kg and from 2 to 12 years of age were enrolled in the prospective study in which the mTR device was implanted in the stifle joint to replace the ruptured CCL. The dogs were graded using the Bologna Healing Stifle Injury Index (BHSII) and radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) scores. Results: The outcomes obtained at the time of the surgery (T0) and for the following 12 months (T12) showed an improvement in the functional parameters (BHSII from a median of 74.3 [range, 58.1-82.4] at T0 to 95.6 [range, 94.1-99.3] at T12]). The OA did not change in 3 dogs and increased by only 1 point in 2 dogs. Conclusions: In this preliminary study, the mTR was a successful and repeatable intraarticular surgical procedure for all dogs. Additional studies related to the clinical application of the technique in medium-large dogs should be encouraged.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.278-285
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• 2003

This study was performed to compare early stage changes following the administrations of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), Carprofen and their combinations in the experimental canine cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Twenty five mongrel dogs were divided into five groups; Groups 1, 2, and 3 received a sectioning the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) of the right stifle joint, and were administered CLA (250 mg/kg/day/orally), carprofen (4.4 mg/kg/day/orally), and their combinations for 4 weeks beginning 4 weeks postsurgery, respectively. Group 4 received sectioning CCL and no treatment. Group 5 was composed of unoperated normal dogs. The macroscopic observation of cartilage erosions on both the condyles and plateaus were evaluated, and the severity of the cartilage lesions and synovial inflammation was examined histologically at eight weeks after surgery. Histological examinations including hematoxylin and eosin stain, standard toluidine blue method, PAS technique and Masson trichrome technique, hematologic and radiographic evaluation were perfonned after experimental surgery. Slight yellowish discoloration of the surface was found in some of the experimental dogs. However macroscopic findings showed no significant differences among the groups. In radiographic findings, cranial displacement of the proximal tibia relative to the femoral condyles in all groups was observed but no significant differences among the groups was seen. This study showed that oral administration of CLA, carprofen and their combinations revealed no early stage change in the canine stifle joint following experimental rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.455-459
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• 2012

Nine dogs presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Konkuk University and Woosung Animal Hospital with a history of pelvic limb lameness. On physical examination, 9 dogs all showed a consistent weight bearing lameness and mild muscle atrophy. There was cranial drawer sign with pain in 9 dogs. Mediolateral radiographic projection revealed cranial subluxation of the tibial tuberosity in a tibial compression view. The right and left stifle joints were affected in 7 dogs and 2 dogs respectively. TightRope cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) technique for treatment of CCL deficiency was performed. Polyester and nylon were used to stabilize the stifle in 3 dogs and 6 dogs respectively. Suture sizes were 0.8 mm (n = 2), 0.9 mm (n = 4), 1.1 mm (n = 2), and $1.1mm{\times}2$ strands (n = 1) in diameter. Mean (${\pm}SD$) surgical duration was $48.3{\pm}8.5$ minutes (range 35 to 60 minutes). Preoperative and postoperative mean (${\pm}SD$) cranial drawer signs were $8.6{\pm}1.6$ mm (rage 7 to 12 mm) and $1.2{\pm}1.0$ mm (rage 0 to 3 mm) respectively. Immediate postoperative radiographs of the affected limb revealed no evidence of cranial subluxation of the tibial tuberosity in a tibial compression view of 9 dogs. Normal limb function was regained in 8 dogs within 8 weeks postoperatively. A consistent weight bearing lameness resolved in all dogs after TightRope CCL technique, but reoccurred in one dog (case No. 6) 2 weeks after surgery. Cranial subluxation of the tibial tuberosity was identified in a tibial compression test. During the second surgery, breakage of surgical button was identified and a tibial wedge osteotomy was performed. Based on surgical time, complication, stifle stability, and functional recovery, the present study indicated that TightRope CCL technique is effective treatment for the dogs with CCL deficiency.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.190-193
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• 2005

The concentration of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) in synovial fluid of normal stifle joint was investigated in order to establish a baseline data to distinguish between healthy joint and joint with injury of cranial cruciate ligament (CCL). Twenty three mixed-breed healthy dogs free from joint diseases (fourteen adult and nine young) were used in this study. The dogs were sedated and synovial fluid was collected from the femoropatellar compartment of stifle joints by direct arthrocentesis. The concentration of TRAP in synovial fluid was determined using the method of Lang. The concentration of TRAP were $0.083{\pm}0.039$ IU/ml in adult dogs, $0.064{\pm}0.023$ IU/ml in young dogs, $0.075{\pm}0.028$ IU/ml in large dogs (>22 kg), $0.076{\pm}0.046$ IU/ml in small dogs (<22 kg), $0.085{\pm}0.036$ IU/ml in neutered dogs and $0.056{\pm}0.022$ IU/ml in intact dogs. The concentration of TRAP in the neutered dogs was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the intact dogs. This data can be used baseline data for a comparison with joint with injury of cranial cruciate ligament.