Cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) disease is the most common cause of hindlimb lameness in dogs and a major cause of stifle osteoarthritis. Unlike the human ACL injury, it is usually the end point of slow ligament degeneration, so the ligament often fails during ordinary activity and the other stifle is frequently affected later. The NAVLE expects you to diagnose it by palpation and radiographs, recognize meniscal injury, and match the treatment to the dog.
Key facts
Ruptured anterior (cranial) cruciate ligament at a glance- Species and system: dog (cats can also be affected); musculoskeletal, stifle joint. The cranial cruciate ligament is the canine equivalent of the human anterior cruciate ligament.
- Cause: mostly progressive degeneration of the ligament; acute traumatic rupture is less common and seen more in young dogs.
- Who: large-breed, neutered and overweight dogs; Rottweilers, Labrador Retrievers and Newfoundlands are predisposed.
- Classic presentation: a middle-aged Labrador with hindlimb lameness, stifle effusion, a medial buttress and a positive cranial drawer or tibial thrust.
- Common companion lesion: tear of the caudal pole of the medial meniscus.
- Not zoonotic and not reportable.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 6 tables, 3 figures, 3 self-test questions and 25 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.