Effect of 9 mm Tibial Tuberosity Advancement on Cranial Tibial Translation in the Canine Cranial Cruciate Ligament‐Deficient Stifle

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of 9 mm tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) on cranial tibial translation (CTT) in a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL)-deficient canine stifle model. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro cadaveric study. ANIMALS: Canine pelvic limbs (n=12). METHODS: Each stifle was placed in a jig at 135 degrees with a simulated quadriceps force and tibial axial force. CTT distance was measured with the CCL intact (iCCL), transected (tCCL), and after performing TTA using a 9 mm cage. RESULTS: Mean CTT for iCCL was 0.42 mm, 1.58 mm after severing the CCL, and 1.06 mm post-TTA. The tCCL CTT measured without any quadriceps force was 2.59 mm. Differences between the intact and tCCL (P<.0001) and tCCL and TTA (P=.0003) were significant. The difference between the tCCL with and without the quadriceps force was not significant (P=.0597). CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm that TTA does reduce CTT in tCCL stifles in this model. The CTT noted was less than that noted clinically. The addition of a simulated quadriceps force to a CCL-deficient stifle before a TTA, by itself, may not significantly lessen CTT. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Whereas this in vitro model demonstrated that TTA reduced CTT in canine stifles with CCL transected, the model limitations preclude extrapolation to the effect of TTA in a live dog.