TITLE:
SwiveLock Bone Anchor Stabilization of the Cranial Cruciate Ligament Deficient Stifle in Dogs: Clinical Outcome
AUTHORS:
Matthew Raske, Don Hulse
KEYWORDS:
Canine; Cranial Cruciate Ligament; FiberTape; Isometric Stabilization; SwiveLock
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Veterinary Medicine,
Vol.3 No.7,
November
29,
2013
ABSTRACT: A number of surgical procedures have been reported for
the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) deficient stifle in dogs. The objectives of
this study were to report long-term outcomes in dogs with CCL
deficient stifles stabilized with a knotless SwiveLock bone anchor preloaded
with FiberTape and to report associated complications. Medical records were reviewed
to identify dogs with unilateral CCL deficient stifles treated with the
SwiveLock system (n = 41) between June 2008 and January 2012. Dogs were divided into three
groups according to body weight to assess differences between owner assessed
functional outcomes. Complications were recorded and a validated owner
questionnaire was used to evaluate long-term outcomes at least 6 months
postoperatively. Owner assessment prior to and after treatment with the
SwiveLock system was statistically significant for each of the categories of
the validated owner questionnaire. There was no significant difference among
the weight groups for any of the preoperative and postoperative treatment owner
questions. Complications requiring surgical revision occurred in three (7.3%)
dogs. Two had surgical site infections and one had a subsequent meniscal tear.
The authors concluded that the SwiveLock system placed at near isometric sites
is an effective surgical option for the treatment of dogs with CCL deficient
stifles.