A modified Maquet technique for management of cranial cruciate avulsion in a cat

This case report describes the management of cranial cruciate ligament avulsion from the femur of a four-year-old Norwegian Forest cat that presented with a history of lameness which had not improved with conservative treatment. During medial arthrotomy, avulsion of the cranial cruciate ligament from the caudomedial aspect of the lateral femoral condyle was suspected and the torn portion resected. A modified Maquet technique was performed on the left tibia resulting in a rapid improvement in lameness postoperatively. Histopathology of the resected cranial cruciate ligament confirmed avulsion. To the authors' knowledge this is the first reported use of this technique in the cat, and the first of stifle instability due to cranial cruciate ligament avulsion from the femur in the cat.