What is a cruciate ligament?
A. There are two cruciate ligaments in the knee. They attach the thigh bone to the shin bone. They allow the knee to flex and extend and they stablilse the joint. It can just be a simple slip on uneven ground or slippery floor that can cause a cruciate rupture. Of the two ligaments, the one that most often gets damaged is the anterior cruciate ligament. If this happens the joint becomes unstable as a result there would be intense pain and inflamation would occur. Your vet will be able to diagnose a cruciate rupture, generally by touch, and advise the best treatment, often this means surgery.
