Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) Reconstruction
One of the Most Common Orthopedic Injuries
Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture is one of the most common orthopedic injuries in dogs. The tearing of an important ligament in the stifle joint (knee), results in partial or complete joint instability, pain, and lameness. Torn ligaments retract, do not heal, and cannot be repaired completely. If the injury is not treated, damage to connective tissues and degenerative joint disease will result.
The popular surgeries, TPLO and TTA, attempt to augment the dog’s knee by altering the normal anatomy of the joint. These surgeries often lead to the progression of osteoarthritis.
Regenerating the Cranial Cruciate Ligament
An alternative is graft reconstruction of the CCL with the injection of ACell Vet powder in suspension into the graft. This technique has been used extensively by David Pendray, DVM of Cody, WY. Dr. Pendray has treated more than 100 cases with only three failures.
Dr. Pendray’s results from the ACell Vet CCL injection appear superior to other treatments such as TPLO and TTA, regenerating the natural tissue of the ligament and restoring the joint more closely to normal functioning. Dr. Pendray’s results show little progression of osteoarthritis after one year.
Rehabilitation is a Key Factor
The rehabilitation program must subject the graft to biomechanical loading which facilitates the remodeling of new site specific tissue. The ACell Vet injection combined with rehabilitation can help repair by regeneration an injured Cranial Cruciate Ligament.
