The reconstruction of experimentally ruptured cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) under arthroscopic guidance and the effects of an early postoperative rehabilitation program by clinical, radiographic, and ultrasonographic 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 the use of an intracapsular 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. From serial clinical, radiographic, and ultrasonographic examinations, no differences between groups were observed, although all dogs had showed signs of degenerative joint disease. Limb function was determined after surgery using force platform analysis, and the animals from physiotherapy group had significantly better results during rehabilitation period. It can be concluded that arthroscopic surgery for reconstruction of the cranial cruciate ligament is an efficient method to be used in dogs, in spite of not preventing the degenerative joint disease, and the physiotherapy has beneficial effects on early limb function during the rehabilitation period.
dog; orthopedics; stifle joint; cruciate ligament
