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Evaluation of a Transcondylar Toggle System for Stabilization of the Cranial Cruciate Deficient Stifle in Small Dogs and Cats
Author(s) -
KUNKEL KEVIN A. R.,
BASINGER R. RANDY,
SUBER JONATHAN T.,
GERARD PATRICK D.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
veterinary surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1532-950X
pISSN - 0161-3499
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-950x.2009.00563.x
Subject(s) - medicine , lameness , cruciate ligament , surgery , cats , stifle joint , osteoarthritis , atrophy , fibrous joint , muscle atrophy , prospective cohort study , anterior cruciate ligament , pathology , alternative medicine
Objective— To evaluate use of a transcondylar toggle system (TCTS) for stabilization of the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) deficient stifle in small dogs and cats. Study Design— Prospective clinical study. Animals— Small dogs (<7 kg; n=14) and cats (2) with CrCL‐associated lameness of <3 months duration and a tibial plateau angle <32°. Methods— Affected animals had an extracapsular CrCL repair using the TCTS. Lameness score, muscle atrophy, osteoarthritis (OA) score, and range of motion (ROM) were evaluated preoperatively, and at 6 weeks and 7–10 months postoperatively. Results— Operative time was 75 ± 16 minutes. Fifty‐six percent required >1 bone tunnel attempts. One dog required revision at 2 weeks because of suture loosening. All stifles were stable at 6 weeks postoperatively. Fifteen animals were available for follow‐up (7–10 months). Lameness improved significantly at 6 weeks ( P <.0001), whereas muscle atrophy was worse at 6 weeks ( P =.008) but improved at 7–10 months ( P <.0001). OA scores were unchanged at 6 weeks ( P =.08) but were significantly worse at 7–10 months ( P <.0001). ROM remained unchanged at 6 weeks ( P =1) and 7–10 months ( P =.6). Conclusions— The medially placed toggle provides a reliable short‐term proximal anchor for the extracapsular suture with outcomes similar to other extracapsular techniques. The aiming device and drill bit are not recommended in their current form. Clinical Relevance— The TCTS appears to be a well‐tolerated technique for proximal suture anchoring in extracapsular CrCL repair in small dogs and cats where instrumentation and anatomic constraints preclude other techniques.