Partial Rupture of the Cranial Cruciate Ligament 121Conclusions
In conclusion, if stifle joint instability is detected
clinically, this is indicative of substantial disrup-
tion to the CrCL biomechanically, and complete
CR. In this type of patient, the remaining
ligament tissue, if present, is typically stretched
out and slack. The remaining CrCL fibers often
have an abnormal arthroscopic appearance,
have a yellow coloration, and are inflamed.
The diagnosis of partial CR should be limited
to stifles that are stable. In the future, careful
evaluation of clinical outcomes after the treat-
ment of dogs with partial CR using surgical
stabilization, particularly tibial plateau leveling
osteotomy, is needed, as there is some evidence
that this approach may protect the CrCL from
progressive fiber tearing (Hulseet al. 2010;
Bargeret al. 2016). Further studies are also
needed to develop disease-modifying therapies
aimed at blocking progressive deterioration in
the biomechanical properties of the CrCL and
eventual complete CR.
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