cTTA - A new method for treating cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs: early results

Abstract

Injury to the Cranial Cruciate Ligament of the stifle is one of the leading causes of lameness in dogs. It is best treated surgically, and so one of the main indications for orthopaedic surgery. Many surgical techniques have been proposed, none of which have proven better efficacy than the others. This study looks at a relatively new technique - the circular Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (cTTA), as presented by Massimo Petazzoni in 2010. The cTTA combines principles of two common procedures - the Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) and the Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA). The resultant surgery has several proposed advantages, such as being less invasive than TPLO whilst maintaining bone to bone contact at the osteotomy, unlike TTA. This promotes faster healing and allows easier removal of the implant, should the need arise.