The fascia lata graft in the arthroscopic reconstruction of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), the histological characteristics of the graft and the graft-bone interface, and the effects of postoperative physiotherapy by arthroscopic and anatomopathological exams were evaluated. Sixteen male mongrel dogs weighing from 19.2 to 26.3kg had the CCL experimentally ruptured and the stifle joint was stabilized by arthroscopical technique with fascia lata as an autogenous graft. Eight dogs were included in a postoperative physiotherapy group and the other eight in a temporary immobilization group. Arthroscopic and histological examinations showed articular lesions consistent with degenerative joint disease at 60 days after surgery, which was more severe in dogs from the temporary immobilization group. From histological studies, the graft underwent a collagenic reorganization process that was more intense and earlier in dogs from the physiotherapy group. There was a progressive establishment of collagen fiber continuity in the graft-bone interface. It can be concluded that fascia lata graft can be used to replace the CCL by arthroscopic surgery, the graft undergo a ligamentization and osteointegration process, and the postoperative physiotherapy decrease the degenerative joint disease progression and stimulate the ligamentization of the graft.
dog; orthopedics; stifle joint; cruciate ligament
