In vitro 3-dimensional kinematic evaluation of 2 corrective operations for cranial cruciate ligament-deficient stifle

The objective of this study was to determine the immediate postoperative effect of 2 corrective operations for cranial cruciate ligament (CCL)-deficient stifle by evaluating 3-dimensional (3-D) stifle kinematics. Ten hindlimbs from large-breed canine cadavers were used. Range of motion was induced by applying 100 N of traction on the quadriceps tendon and recorded with electromagnetic movement sensors for each situation: intact stifle (control), CCL-sectioned stifle, and surgical correction of the sectioned ligament with the modified retinacular imbrication technique (MRIT) and then with a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy--Montavon (TPLO-M). The results for the experimental situations were compared with the results for the control situation by 1-way repeated-measures analysis of variance and with each other by post-hoc analysis with the least-significant-difference method. Range of motion was significantly decreased by MRIT as compared with the other situations. Normal cranial tibial translation was restored after MRIT, whereas TPLO-M resulted in significant caudal translation. A significant increase in external rotation was observed after both MRIT and TPLO-M. A significant increase in tibial adduction throughout the range of motion was observed with TPLO-M, whereas a significant increase in tibial abduction was observed after MRIT. This study allowed us to better understand objectively the effects on 3-D canine stifle kinematics of MRIT and TPLO-M. We suggest that this type of in vitro study would be useful to evaluate established and upcoming surgical techniques and potentially improve corrective surgery.