Caudal cruciate ligament disease in three Basset Hounds

3 adult Basset Hounds were referred for evaluation of chronic, unilateral, pelvic limb lameness with no history of trauma.

On examination, all dogs had mild lameness of the affected limb; signs of pain were evident during manipulation of the stifle joint in the affected limb, along with effusion of that joint. No stifle joint instability was palpable. Radiographs were available for review for 2 of the 3 dogs. Effusion was confirmed radiographically, but severity of degenerative joint disease varied. Central intercondylar notch width ratios for the 2 dogs were 0.16 and 0.17, and tibial plateau angles were -10° and 15°; relative tibial tuberosity width was 1.1 for both dogs. Exploratory arthroscopy revealed moderate degeneration of the caudal cruciate ligament in all 3 dogs; the cranial cruciate ligaments were grossly normal.

Corrective osteotomy to increase the tibial plateau angle was performed in 1 dog, and the lameness resolved by 2 months after surgery. The 2 other dogs were managed without additional surgery. One dog was persistently lame. The other dog reportedly had normal limb function 2.5 years after undergoing exploratory arthroscopy.

Morphological characteristics of the tibia in Basset Hounds may predispose to abnormal stresses on the caudal cruciate ligament. Isolated degeneration of the caudal cruciate ligament should be considered as a differential diagnosis for Basset Hounds with lameness originating from the stifle joint. Without direct inspection of the joint, caudal cruciate ligament disease could be confused for cranial cruciate ligament injury.