Caudal cruciate ligament injury

In small animals, CaCL injury occurs infrequently and is associated with isolated ruptures, attachment (bone) avulsions, or combined with multiple ligament injury of the stifle joint. Definitive diagnosis of CaCL usually requires direct examination of the stifle joint because detection of caudal drawer motion is confusing and may be masked by concurrent, possibly more significant lesions. Although the ligament is considered a primary stabilizer of the canine stifle joint, controversy exists regarding the need for surgical repair of CaCL injury. Although reattachment of avulsion injuries seems prudent, results of other stabilizing procedures for midsubstance tears have produced patients with minimal lameness and persistent drawer motion. Based on limited clinical and experimental data, it is conceivable that surgical stabilization of the CaCL-deficient stifle joint may not be necessary in small animals, although more clinical studies would be useful in conclusively delineating the role of this ligament.